Amanda Serrano is closing in on a new opponent after Erika Cruz reportedly failed a pre-fight VADA test ahead of their January 3 rematch.

El Vocero, a news outlet based in Puerto Rico, reported that Serrano’s team withdrew from the fight against Cruz, 18-2-1 (4 KOs), after she tested positive for clenbuterol. Serrano’s manager, Jordan Maldonado, told El Vocero that although it was up to their discretion whether to proceed with the fight, they opted to find a new opponent.

“Although her team says it was contamination from something she ate, who determines that when they haven't tested the meat she claims to have eaten?” Maldonado said. “That can't be determined in a conversation; an investigation is needed, and there isn't time for that.”

The card, which will take place at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be Serrano's first fight in Puerto Rico since 2021, when she knocked out Daniela Bermudez in nine rounds.

An email to Most Valuable Promotions, which will promote the show, did not receive a response by the time of this story’s publication. Although Maldonado didn’t name who the new opponent will be for Serrano, he did offer some clues.

“The new opponent is younger than Amanda, has a winning record, and is a better boxer than Erika. It’s a more dangerous fight,” said Maldonado.

“Every cloud has a silver lining. I want a woman who comes to fight, who tries to beat Amanda – not just to survive. I want a war. I want Puerto Rico to see the Amanda Serrano who gives it her all in every round.”

Cruz’s manager, Danny Aspiros, disputed the initial report in a text message to BoxingScene, saying, “The information is not accurate or correct, however our promoter will make an official statement in the near future.”

Cruz, who lost a unanimous decision to Serrano in their 2023 undisputed unification fight, has previously been entangled with issues of banned substances. In May 2024, Cruz was stripped of the WBA junior featherweight title after testing positive for stanozololol metabolites and furosemide, a diuretic better known as Lasix, after her draw with Nazarena Romero.

Serrano, who will be defending the WBO and WBA featherweight titles, is looking to rebound from back-to-back defeats to Katie Taylor. The show will air live on DAZN.

Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.