Farmer Plots June Return, Targets Vargas-Salido Winner, Verdejo

By Ben Jacobs

Tevin Farmer, back in his native Philadelphia after another training stint in California, is attempting to chase down the big names in the super featherweight division following a run of excellent form which sees him unbeaten since 2012.

“I think I’ll be fighting again in June, if it is then I’m ok with that, as long as I’m fighting then,” said Farmer with an update to BoxingScene.com. 
“I do want the winner of Francisco Vargas versus Orlando Salido.  I’m right there.” 

Ranked number nine by the WBC, Farmer could be a potential opponent for a voluntary shot but it is likely that he will have to force himself into the mandatory slot before he gets his chance.  Although another option could be a rematch with IBF champion Jose Pedraza. 

“I want Pedraza too but I don’t think he wants to do it.  I saw his fight against Stephen Smith, it was a good fight.  He beat me once but it doesn’t count, I wasn’t even taking boxing seriously at that time.  They called me on three days’ notice, you can’t get credit for that. 

“I think a rematch would be a good television fight, but I don’t think it will happen.  Maybe if Vargas wins they wouldn’t turn that fight down.  I was speaking to Bernard Hopkins in Las Vegas and he said that fight could happen.

“I see Smith is fighting again very quick, they must have big plans for him.  He fought good that night against Pedraza.”

Farmer last competed on March 30 against former WBC world champion Gamaliel Diaz, emerging with a unanimous decision victory in New York.  However, the 25-year-old feels he could have performed better. 

“Overall for my last fight I give myself a C-, even though he was a former world champion.  I had an eight month lay-off and after the first round I felt rusty. 

If I can get back in June I’ll be back on track, where I need to be.  At the same time, I did get the win easily.  I’ve just been on the west coast again, training hard and having a lot of fun, I get to learn a lot there.”

Farmer has also been publicly chasing a fight with highly touted prospect Felix Verdejo yet the southpaw is unconvinced that he will be able to secure a fight with the Puerto Rican.

“Verdejo is a good fighter but these fights lately are not doing anything for him.  He seems to be fighting the same way every time when he should be getting better. 

“I offered to fight him, I would move up in weight but I don’t think they will take that.  I wouldn’t go up in weight class for anyone, there has to be a good reason.  I can actually fight at 126lbs but I feel that 130lbs is comfortable for me.”