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During his professional career, Jayson “La Maravilla” Vélez has tasted hard punches from a lot of big hitters – like Juan Manuel Lopez, Ryan Garcia and Oscar Valdez.
And now he’s tasted the power of seven division champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano.
Vélez – who in his last fight in December beat prospect Jean Carlos Quintana by decision – had served as a sparring partner during Serrano’s recent preparation in Puerto Rico.
Serrano is preparing at full steam for the historic fight against undisputed world champion Katie Taylor, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Taylor, an Olympic gold medal winner, will be the toughest fight of Serrano’s pro run.
On the other hand, Velez explains that Serrano’s power is very real and her skill level is beyond what he expected once they started trading punches – and Velez did not go easy on the female star.
“I saw her fighting and it’s impressive. I didn’t expect it to be much more impressive when I got into the ring with her, but it is,” Vélez said to Giovanny Vega. “I have been impressed. She is a woman who fights like a man. What they say about her and what you see about her in her fights is real.
“Amanda hits hard, she’s strong and she has drive. She was giving me good punches to the body and head. Don’t just think that because she is a woman I didn’t touch her – I hit her. I’m throwing punches at her and touching her. She was, however, throwing back at me. She is brave. She makes her adjustments. She is very smart. She did very well.”