Yoenis Tellez vs Brian Mendoza Preview March 28th, 2026
Yoenis Tellez of Cuba is set to battle it out with Brian Mendoza of Albuquerque, New Mexico this Saturday, March 28th. The 10-round junior middleweight fight from Las Vegas, Nevada can be seen live in most nations on Prime Amazon on the undercard of the Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman tilt. Tellez lost his WBA Interim Junior Middleweight Title in August when he dropped a 12-round unanimous decision to Abass Baraou after being dropped in the 12th round. He bounced back from his lone pro defeat in December though when he halted Kendo Castaneda after five rounds. Tellez beat former world champion Julian Williams via a 12-round unanimous decision for the interim title last March. Mendoza last saw action in July when he stopped Jesus Antonio Rojas in the fourth round to snap a two-fight losing skid.
Tellez vs Mendoza Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Brian Mendoza +260
- Yoenis Tellez -350
My Pick
Tellez is just 25 years old and fights out of Stafford, Texas. He has 75 rounds of experience under his belt since making his pro debut in 2020 with a mark of 11-1 with *. He’s gone the distance just four times as a pro. The first occasion was just six rounds against Cameron Krael in May, 2023 via a unanimous decision. The the second time was a 10-round unanimous nod over Joseph Jackson in April, 2024 and the third time was against Julian Williams over 12 rounds in March. The last time he went the distance was in his 12-round defeat to Baraou.
While there’s no doubt Tellez has fine power, as 72.7 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage, he also possesses fine boxing skills as he won every round on the scorecards in his first two decision victories and beat Williams by scores of 119-109, 117-111 and 118-110. Of course, he did struggle against Baraou though. Tellez measures 5-feet-10-inches tall with a 73-inch reach and enjoyed a fine amateur career as he made it to the quarterfinals of the 2019 Cuban National Championships and started his pro career with a couple of fights in Russia. None of his first five opponents had a winning record but his last seven all did with a combined record of 169-23-1.
Mendoza is now 32 years old and fights out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He’s boxed 117 rounds since making his pro debut in 2014 following his amateur career. He climbs through the ropes with a mark of 23-4 with 17 Ko’s with his four defeats coming in his last nine bouts. He dropped an eight-round split decision to Larry Gomez in 2019; a 10-round unanimous decision to Jesus Alejandro Ramos in September, 2021 and a unanimous decision loss to Tim Tszyu in 2023 in a shot at the WBO Junior Middleweight Belt. Mendoza then lost his next fight five months later when Serhii Bohachuk beat him via a 12-round unanimous decision in a shot at the WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Title.
Mendoza is well known for his sensational knockout over Sebastian Fundora in the seventh round in April, 2023 for the WBC Interim Junior Middleweight Title while trailing by a large margin on all three scorecards. At 5-feet-10-inches tall with a 70-inch reach, Mendoza is the same height as Tellez but gives up three inches in reach. As far as power goes, Mendoza also has plenty of it as 73.9 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage including his last four. None of his first 16 opponents entered the ring with a winning record though but the last 11 have. His biggest wins have been over Fundora, Jeison Rosario and Thomas LaManna.
Prediction…
Tellez is seven years younger than Mendoza and possesses slightly better boxing skills while they both own good power and chins. This is a good test for both boxers and there’s a chance it goes the distance. I’m expecting a close and somewhat brutal fight but believe Tellez will do just enough to pull it out with a stoppage being a 50/50 possibility.
Tellez has slightly better boxing skills.
Play: Tellez -350 @ BetOnline.ag
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Brian Mendoza betting • Yoenis Tellez betting