Yoenis Tellez acknowledges his recent win over former unified titlist Julian ‘J Rock’ Williams as his most significant to date.
However, he also views the moment as just the start of his current journey.
The unbeaten Cuban export outpointed Philadelphia’s Williams over twelve rounds to win the WBA interim 154lbs title on March 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Tellez, 10-0 (7 KOs) will now risk that very belt against Germany’s Abass Baraou, 16-1 (9 KOs) on an August 23 DAZN show from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
“Beating Julian Williams gave me a lot of confidence, but I’m not satisfied,” said Tellez of the win. “I learned a lot from that fight, and I’m bringing that momentum into the ring against Baraou. He’s a talented fighter, and I respect what he’s done in his career.
“But on fight night, I’m going to show why I’m the champion.”
Tellez is now based in the greater Houston, Texas area, though this upcoming bout is a bit of a home game. The hosting venue is headed by Caribe managing director Amaury Piedra, whose Boxlab Promotoins co-promotes Tellez along with Leon Margules’ Warriors Boxing.
Boxlab co-promotes the August 23 show along with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). It comes on the tail end of two straight nights of boxing at the venue, which gives Tellez the chance to stand out against a slew of rising prospects and young contenders.
“Yoenis has all the tools to be a superstar,” Piedra said. "His win over Julian Williams proved he belongs at the top, and a victory against Baraou will put him in line for the WBA title. It’s been incredible working alongside Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian at Most Valuable Promotions—our shared vision for Yoenis’ career is paying off, and the fans are seeing something special unfold.”
The bout will be the sixth at Caribe Royale for Tellez, who is poised to become a full WBA titleholder with a win on August 23. The primary version of the title is held by Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford, 41-0 (31 KOs), who next challenges undisputed 168lbs champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, 63-2-2 (39 KOs) on September 13 and is not expected to return to junior middleweight.
“This fight is a major step for me," Tellez noted. “When I win, I’ll be in position to fight as the [full] champion. That means big fights, big opportunities, and a chance to keep proving I’m the best at 154 pounds.
“Fighting on DAZN again is huge for me. It’s a global platform, and I want to keep building my name, so everyone knows who Yoenis Tellez is.”
