02/25/2025
Photo Credit: Team Téllez
Yoenis Téllez has a date with history this Saturday. The rising Cuban star and former unified world champion Julian "J-Rock" Williams will kick off the PBC PPV on Prime event on March 1, headlined by the bout between WBA Lightweight Champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis and WBA Super Featherweight Champion Lamont Roach, live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
The 12-round battle will be for the Interim WBA Junior Middleweight Championship. The winner will move closer to the regular championship currently held by Terence Crawford.
Williams is a very experienced former world champion, but many believe this is the moment for the young Cuban warrior, who has been overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities.
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
We sat down with Téllez ahead of his huge bout:
How did you react to the news that you’ll be fighting for a world title?
"I received the news from my promotional team, and I thank them for the opportunity and the work they put in to make this happen. My team had been telling me something about an opportunity like this, and I believe that, with everything I’ve been through in my career, it was about time for this opportunity to come my way."
What do you think about Williams, a former champion?
"He’s a fighter with a lot more experience than me, someone who has already faced big names, a fighter with much more experience at the professional level. The focus here is to always stay calm during the fight."
How do you feel coming into this fight?
"First, mentally, I consider myself someone who doesn’t crumble under pressure. I always try to stay calm and clear my mind, focusing on winning first in training and in my techniques.
I’m going to do my part, work on the things I need to improve, and fix the difficulties I had in my last fight. This is a great opportunity for my career."
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Crawford, Fundora, Zayas—how do you see yourself in the super welterweight division?
"I don’t worry about what’s happening around me. I focus on what’s happening with me. After achieving my goal in this fight, my team and I will sit down and plan for what’s next. After March 1, I’ll be in the mix, in one of the strongest divisions. When people talk about the 154-pound division, they’ll mention this Cuban."
Let’s talk a bit about Cuban boxing—Andy Cruz, Morrell—how do you see this new wave of Cuban boxing?
"I think people are starting to say that these Cubans are not like the Cubans of the past. I’ve been saying for a long time that this is the new generation of Cuban boxing. The more we grow, the more opportunities will come our way.
We are very young, hungry to take over the world, eager to make our mark in professional boxing. I’ve always said that in a year or two, Cuban boxing will be at the top."
Morrell lost but left a great impression.
"I want to congratulate my brother Morrell, who, despite not getting the win he wanted, gave it his all, lifted our spirits, and inspired a nation. That night, we saw him leave everything in the ring, and I think that step he took, that opportunity he had, was something exemplary for us young fighters coming up."
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