The Cuban-born Tellez defeated Mendoza by unanimous decision in the 10-round co-feature before Sebastian Fundora defended his WBC super welterweight title against Keith Thurman in the 12-round main event at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Judges Eric Cheek (98-92), Patricia Morse Jarman (97-93) and David Sutherland (97-93) all scored the fight for Tellez, a former WBA interim 154-pound champion who was upset by Abass Baraou last August 23 in Orlando, Florida.

Tellez (12-1, 8 KOs) fought through intense pain from a damaged nose that made him take a long break following an accidental head-butt during the third round. Albuquerque’s Mendoza (23-5, 17 KOs) – best known for his spectacular knockout of Fundora in April 2023 – had his moments, but Tellez took control in the final three rounds.

Tellez, 25, and Mendoza, 32, took this fight on about three weeks’ notice. The original co-feature on this card, an IBF heavyweight elimination bout between Cuba’s Frank Sanchez and California’s Richard Torrez Jr., was postponed because Sanchez suffered a knee injury in training camp.

Tellez rocked Mendoza with a left hook several seconds after the midway mark of the 10th round. By then, Tellez looked like he was in control and on his way to a much-needed victory.

Tellez drilled Mendoza with a right uppercut during an action-packed ninth round. Mendoza wasn’t hurt by that shot.

Tellez landed a straight right barely 30 seconds into the eighth round and another less than 10 seconds later that made Mendoza initiate a clinch. Tellez then hit Mendoza with a left as referee Harvey Dock called for a break, which prompted a stern warning from the veteran official with about two minutes to go in the eighth.

An aggressive Mendoza turned up the intensity in the first minute of the seventh round, when he landed a hard left to Tellez’s body and several rights up top. Mendoza landed lefts and rights to Tellez’s body later in the seventh.

Mendoza landed two right hands in the final 30 seconds of the sixth round. Tellez caught him with a left soon thereafter and moved away.

Mendoza and Tellez traded hard shots in the center of the ring late in the fifth round.

Tellez got good extension on a right hand that landed with one minute to go in the fourth round. Another right by Tellez got Mendoza’s attention with just over 10 seconds remaining in the fourth.

Mendoza nailed Tellez with a right hand that backed him up five seconds into the third round. About 30 seconds later, Tellez overextended while throwing a right hand of his own and clashed heads with Mendoza.

Tellez went down to one knee and took a few minutes before he got to his feet. He appeared to have difficulty breathing through his nose, but after an extended break, Tellez eventually agreed to continue.

The eventful third round continued with about a minute remaining in it. Mendoza and Tellez landed punches while Dock called for a break, which made him sternly warn both boxers.

Tellez landed two right hands around Mendoza’s guard in the final 30 seconds of the second round.

Mendoza landed a right hand at the end of a tactical first round in which they showed each other respect. Keith Idec is a senior writer and columnist for The Ring. He can be reached on X @idecboxing.