In actuality, Puerto Rican lightweight sensation is no longer a prospect – the 22-year-old who has already been called the new Felix Trinidad by some, is a contender. And Verdejo’s growing number of fans will be happy this year as the 20-0(14) star of the future has a busy schedule planned. Verdejo was forced to remain inactive for a spell of six months last year due to a hand injury that required surgery. Returning to action in December, following the layoff, Verdejo’s hand held up fine as he stopped Josenilson Dos Santos, Verdejo then pitched a near shut-out over talented Brazilian William Silva in February, Silva being unbeaten upon entering the fight.
That performance was not a thrilling one from Verdejo, but he seemingly won with plenty still in the tank. This April, Verdejo will face Mexico’s Daniel Evangelista, 18-6-2(14) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, RingTV.com reports, and if he wins, Verdejo will then fight again on June 11th, on HBO at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The June opponent is still TBA, but one fighter very much in the frame for the bout is another Mexican in Jose Felix Junior, a solid contender at 33-1-1(25).
Verdejo, an amateur standout who had his pro debut in December of 2012, is exceptionally gifted and he has spoken of wanting to eventually go up the weight divisions in search of world titles. Verdejo certainly looks like a future champion at at least one weight. Fast, powerful, with good balance and a vast array of punches at his disposal, the Puerto Rican was right at the top of many good judges’ list of hot prospects last year. The hand injury saw to it that Verdejo boxed just twice when he said he would have liked twice that amount of ring time if not more, but 2016 looks set to be a busy 12 months in which Verdejo makes up for lost time.
The Felix Junior fight, if it comes off as planned, will mark, on paper at least, Verdejo’s toughest test yet. Never stopped, 23-year-old Felix Jr has won six in a row since suffering his sole loss, which came in 2014, against Bryan Vasquez in a bout that contested the interim WBA super-featherweight title. Since moving up to 135-pounds, Felix Jr has kept a clean sheet. He did, however, struggle some in his last fight when he won a split decision over Ricky Sismundo in January.
Still, Verdejo could have a good fight on his hands in June. A stoppage win by the Puerto Rican would certainly impress.