Yoenis “Bandolero” Tellez left Las Vegas on Saturday night with a damaged nose, a unanimous decision and a clearer path back towards a world title shot.
Across 10 rounds at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the 24‑year‑old super-welterweight absorbed a brutal clash of heads from Brian “La Bala” Mendoza in the third, fought through heavy bleeding and still did enough to convince all three judges. Eric Cheek scored it 98-92, with Patricia Morse Jarman and David Sutherland both turning in cards of 97-93, all in favour of Tellez.
The victory moves Tellez to 12-1 and gives him a significant win over a former interim WBC super-welterweight champion who once sat near the top of the division. Mendoza, now 23-5, remains best known for his shock knockout of Sebastian Fundora in April 2023, when he ripped away Fundora’s WBC belt in Carson, California. Since that upset, however, Mendoza has gone 1-3, with defeats to Tim Tszyu, Serhii Bohachuk and now Tellez.
For Tellez, the bout formed part of a rapid rebuild. His unanimous-decision defeat to Abass Baraou last August was effectively a title loss in waiting; Baraou was soon elevated to champion only to surrender the belt to unified title-holder Xander Zayas in January. Tellez chose activity over caution, returning in December for a tune-up win and then reappearing just 105 days later in Saturday’s co-main event.
From the second round, Tellez set out to control Mendoza with straight shots and combinations, letting his hands go with regular volume. Mendoza, who has traditionally relied on explosive counters, struggled early to establish a consistent rhythm, often finding himself second to the punch.
The fight’s key moment came in the third. During an exchange at close range, the two men collided, Mendoza’s forehead crashing into Tellez’s nose. Blood poured immediately, leaving a visible pool on the canvas. Tellez later rated the pain as “10 out of 10” and admitted he had trouble breathing in the aftermath.
Referee Harvey Dock halted the action, allowing the ringside doctor and Tellez’s corner to examine the damage. After an extended delay, Tellez signalled his willingness to continue, drawing a strong ovation from the MGM Grand crowd. From that point on, the Cuban had to manage both a live opponent and compromised breathing.
Mendoza saw his opening in the middle rounds. In the sixth and seventh, he pressed forward with solid combinations, pushing Tellez back and trying to force a momentum shift. Tellez responded by going back to the basics: a steady jab, controlled footwork and selective bursts of offence that kept Mendoza from fully taking over.
The ninth was the standout round. Tellez found Mendoza with two clean head shots, including a sharp uppercut that snapped back the American’s head and underlined who was landing the clearer work. While Mendoza stayed on his feet and continued to fire back, the exchanges increasingly favoured Tellez, who picked his spots and controlled the tempo.
Both fighters emptied what they had left in the 10th, but Tellez’s accuracy and ring generalship carried the session. By the final bell, the pattern of the fight — Tellez’s output and precision versus Mendoza’s sporadic surges, was reflected on the cards as the Cuban secured a wide decision.
Ranked No. 5 at 154 lbs by the WBA coming into the bout, Tellez is now aiming to break into the WBC’s top 15. With Premier Boxing Champions controlling several belts in the division, this win strengthens his case for a future title eliminator or a direct shot at a champion.
