Just a week ago, in a thrilling undercard of Murtazaliev-Tszyu bout, Cuban rising star Yoenis Tellez delivered a powerful seventh-round stoppage of veteran Johan Gonzalez in their super welterweight showdown. The 24-year-old Tellez, now training under renowned coach Ronnie Shields in Stafford, Texas, showed his impressive arsenal by flooring Gonzalez three times in the closing rounds, with the decisive knockout coming at 1:57 of round seven.
While Tellez controlled the pace in the early rounds, Gonzalez, a fighter with heavy knockout power and an experienced corner led by trainer Ismael Salas, kept pushing forward. Tellez acknowledged Gonzalez’s determination, noting, "We were facing a very experienced fighter with a great trainer in Ismael Salas, so I knew it would not be easy. I was just following the instructions of my corner so that I could get the win."
Tellez’s breakthrough moment came in the sixth round with a straight right that sent Gonzalez to the canvas. Gonzalez managed to survive the round, but in the seventh, Tellez landed a clean left hook that nearly launched his opponent through the ropes. Gonzalez got back up, only to be met with a final crushing right hook that forced referee Emil Lombardi to stop the fight.
Reflecting on the victory, Tellez shared his motivation: "The most important weapon I have is the will to become world champion and the motivation to make my country proud. Ever since I left my country, I've wanted to win for them."
Watch the full fight replay here: Watch
Image Credit: PBC