Cuban junior middleweight prospect Yoenis Téllez will face big-punching Johan González on the October 19 bill topped by the IBF title fight between Bakhram Murtazaliev and Tim Tszyu.
The show, at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, will also feature a bout between middleweights Mateo Tapia and Endry Saavedra.
The Ronnie Shields-trained Téllez is fighting at the venue for the fifth time, and the 24-year-old is 8-0 (6 KOs).
Téllez defeated Sergio Garcia last July and has twice won bouts at Caribe Royale since.
“Fighting an experienced fighter like Johan González is a great opportunity to show the world what I’m made of,” said Téllez. “He’s fought at the elite level and I’m expecting a tough fight. I’m going to leave everything in the ring.”
Gonzalez, originally from Valencia, Venezuela, now trains in Las Vegas and is 34-3 (33 KOs). He made his US debut last year but in 2022 suffered a decision defeat to former world title challenger Magomed Kurbanov. González turned over in 2017 and won his first 22 bouts before dropping a split decision in 2018.
“This fight is everything for me, it’s a must-win,” said González. “I’m working hard every day to make sure I leave with my hand raised. My only focus right now is doing everything possible to keep pushing my career forward.”
Tapia is a friend and sparring partner of main eventer Tszyu while Saavedra has scored seven stoppages in his last seven victories.
The 26-year-old Tapia (17-0, 10 KOs) was born in Tijuana, Mexico and has spent much of his career fighting out of Australia, and he has sparred hundreds of rounds with Tszyu. He now trains in St. Petersburg, Florida, and hopes victory over Saavedra will take him towards a title shot.
“This fight is a huge opportunity for me and I’m here to take it with both hands,” said Tapia. “I’m thrilled to be fighting on Tim Tszyu’s card and I’m thankful to my team for making this happen. It’s been a long camp and I’ll definitely be ready when that bell rings on October 19. I’m looking forward to displaying my skills and proudly representing both Australia and Mexico on the world stage.”
Saavedra (16-1, 13 KOs), a Venezuelan who fights out of Tijuana, Mexico, enters the contest having knocked out his last three opponents since the only defeat of his career, an October 2022 decision against Etoundi Michel William.
The 33-year-old turned pro in 2018 and won his first 13 bouts after an extensive amateur career. He most recently traveled to Australia in March, stopping Isaac Hardman on his home turf in round eight of a fight he trailed on two of three scorecards.
“I can’t wait to take advantage of what’s in front of me on October 19,” said Saavedra. “I plan on showing the world why I belong at the top of the middleweight division. I’m facing a tough Australian fighter who represents Mexico, so I’m expecting a war, just like I bring to every fight.”
President of TGB Promotions Tom Brown added: “Yoenis Téllez can add his name to the star-studded line-up of top contenders at 154-pounds against the heavy-handed Johan González, while Mateo Tapia sits ready to make noise at middleweight if he can get by the streaking Endry Saavedra in the opening bout.”
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