Boxing
Yoenis Tellez vs Abass Baraou: Who has the edge heading into their fight?
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Yoenis Tellez is coming off a breakout performance in defeating former junior middleweight world champion Julian Williams by a lopsided unanimous decision in March.
The win gave the 25-year-old Cuban the WBA junior middleweight interim world title and he could put himself in line for a world championship shot at 154 pounds Saturday night if successful against Abass Baraou.
Tellez vs. Baraou will serve as the co-main event to Yankiel Rivera vs. Angelino Cordova on the MVP Fight Night card at Caribe Royale Resort Orlando in Orlando, Florida, and live on DAZN.
Tellez (10-0, 7 KOs) defeated Williams soundly despite the latter having a sizeable experience edge. Meanwhile, German boxer Baraou (16-1, 9 KOs) has produced seven straight victories, including his points win over Macaulay McGowan in June 2024.
With plenty of eyes converging on this card, Tellez will have a chance to increase his growing star power with another statement win. That said, DAZN News analyses who has the edge between the interim titleholder and challenger.
Boxing Styles
In his emphatic win over Julian Williams, Yoenis Tellez showed that he is a sharp pressure fighter who picks his spots efficiently and gets busy in bursts.
Plus, 'El Bandolero' has excellent punch placement as he utilised everything from liver shots to gazelle hooks and slicing uppercuts to carve up the veteran in the eye-opening win.
Tellez’s style will be up against the patient, technical stalking of Baraou, who methodically moves forward behind a high guard and blasts opponents to the body to hinder their fighting flows.
Though Baraou is mostly a disciplined fighter, the placement of his guard will afford Tellez the opportunities to wrap a right hook around it for a booming result.
That could spell a difference in this fight.
Edge: Tellez
Power
Thus far into Tellez’ young professional career, he has amassed a 70 per cent knockout rate, with his high-volume, sharp output serving as keys to overwhelm opponents.
More technical than a big puncher, Baraou has power, too.
It is just that Tellez’ punch palette is superior and his power is growing.
Edge: Tellez
Mental Warfare
This bout marks Baraou’s second fight stateside.
Meanwhile, Tellez is not only coming into his own following a statement win but he is also making a home at Caribe Royale Orlando where he has already had his hand raised in victory five times.
That makes for momentum and familiarity that Baraou must battle mentally against before even trying to physically outdo.
Edge: Tellez
Who has the edge in Tellez vs Baraou?
It could very well be Yoenis Tellez’ time.
A rousing win in March gave him the WBA interim junior middleweight title. A stirring victory Saturday would put him further in line to view for a 154-pound world championship.
The A side in this co-main event, Tellez could steal the show with some more fireworks, winning over new fans in the process.
His alluring skills have DAZN News giving Tellez a 3-0 edge entering this bout.
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