By Eric Baldwin: Unbeaten #1 WBO lightweight contender Felix Verdejo (22-0, 15 KOs) will be back in action in less than two months against an opponent still to be determined on February 3 in a fight that will be shown on UniMas Solo Boxeo Tecate series. The venue still hasn’t been decided either.
The 23-year-old Verdejo last fought in June of this year after beating Juan Jose Martinez by a 5th round knockout. Verdejo’s promoter had hoped of getting him a title shot by now against WBO lightweight champion Terry Flanagan. Unfortunately, Verdejo was injured in a motorcycle accident last summer in August, and he’s been out of the ring ever since.
Verdejo has been given permission to start training, and he will soon be sparring to get ready for his February 3 fight. Verdejo is likely going to take on a non-threat for his next fight. He still hasn’t faced a real quality fighter in his four year pro career since turning pro after competing in the 2012 London Olympics in fighting for his native Puerto Rico. Most of Verdejo’s fights during his career have taken place in the U.S. Verdejo is promoted by Top Rank.
Seen as the next huge star in Puerto Rican boxing, Verdejo appears to have a bright future. He was exposed a little bit in his fight against William Silva last February. Verdejo won the fight by a 10 round unanimous decision by the scores 99-91, 100-90 and 100-90, but he did not look good. Further, the fight looked closer than the scores handed down by the three judges that worked the fight. It was a competitive match-up, and it wasn’t supposed to be.
With Miguel Cotto about to retire at the end of 2017, Verdejo could become the next star for Puerto Rico if he can realize his huge potential. He needs to stay focused and not let success get to him. Above all, Verdejo needs to be careful when riding motorcycles. Boxers in the past have been badly injured while using those means of transportation. Right now, it’s still far too early to tell whether Verdejo’s career will pan out to make him the next Felix Trinidad.
If Verdejo can keep winning, he might become a bigger star than Cotto. Verdejo smiles a lot, and he’s outgoing. He’s got the potential to be a big star if he win some titles and hold onto his belt for a long period of time. Verdejo has the size that will allow him to move up in weight eventually to welterweight. Whether he can success in that weight class remains to be seen.