PROSPECT HAS PEOPLE TALKING
San Francisco, CA– Lightweight Felix Verdejo is being groomed as boxing’s next Puerto Rican superstar and the call is no short order. Puerto Rican fight fans have long been some of the most passionate on the planet and with good reason.
KINGS FROM THE LAND OF BORICUA
From the careers of World champions Carlos Ortiz (135 lbs.) and Jose Torres (175) in the 60s, to the multi-division reigns of the Wilfreds (Benitez and Gomez) in the 70s and 80s, to Felix Trinidad’s gargantuan-like run at 147, 154, this before losing to then 160 lb. king Bernard Hopkins.
AND THEM CAME THE MAN NAMED COTTO!
Most recently the island country is basking in the outstanding career of linear World champ Miguel Cotto,
Miguel Cotto
who carved out a reputation for his willingness to step in the ring with anyone. The picture is clear, historically Puerto Rico has birthed some of the best and most exciting fighters. Verdejo has a great cloud of witnesses who have paved the way for his career.
JUAN MA “CRASHED & BURNED”
But these are no easy shoes to fill. Just ask Juan Manuel Lopez who was himself being billed as the next face of Puerto Rican boxing before twice being starched by Orlando Salido (in addition to two other men including Mikey Garcia). Simply put at just 31 years old Juan Ma is already a shot fighter. With Miguel Cotto’s career coming to a close, now is the perfect time for Verdejo to begin establishing himself as the one to carry the torch for his nation.
OLYMPIAN DID NOT MEDAL
Verdejo had an outstanding amateur career which culminated in him representing his country in the 2012 Olympics. Top Rank Promotions, which has always had an eye for good amateur talent, signed him and so far he has not disappointed in being recognized as “prospect of the year” by promoter Bob Arum last year.
DID WHAT REAL “PROSPECTS” ARE SUPPOSED TO!
This past weekend he was pitted up against Sergio Villanueva, a veteran of over 30 fights who is no world class fighter but was expected to test the 21 year old prodigy who is (15-0, 11 KOs) and give him some experience. But by the third round it was obvious that Villanueva was in over his head when a right hook knocked him senseless and completely off balance.
PUERTO RICO NEEDS A BOXING KING!
Puerto Rican fight fans must have felt refreshed to see their future star’s vintage, powerful, Puerto Rican hook, along with his patience, precision, and ability to set up traps for his opponent. Boxing fans everywhere were refreshed by his explosiveness, excitement, good looks and charisma. He has all the makings of the superstar he is being groomed to be. Although he could be a little wild at times, that’s what makes him fun to watch.
BOXING ALIVE & WELL SANS USA
Critics of boxing often say that the sport is dying or on its last legs. They point to what appears like (and possibly is) corruption on horrible scorecards from incompetent judges on widely viewed platforms or to the fact that the careers of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are ending soon and they still haven’t fought one another.
AND THEN CAME A MAN NAMED FELIX VERDEJO
But then a young man like Verdejo comes around and before he has even accomplished anything he creates a deep interest in his future and reminds us that this sport with such a rich history has plenty of life left, just probably not in the United States.
Jason B. Nava