Felix Verdejo Aims To Showcase His Improvements, Raise Stock

By Victor Salazar

New York, NY - The bulk of the ever flaming torch of Puerto Rican boxing has been bestowed in young Felix Verdejo. The torch was in Miguel Cotto’s hands and before that on the shoulders of Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad. All signs have pointed to Verdejo to follow in that line.

Verdejo a 2012 Olympian, signed with Top Rank not long after deciding to go pro. After impressing many in his 2013 and 2014 campaigns, injuries and some performances in 2015 have many questioning the skillset and potential of the young prospect. Verdejo returns later tonight against Juan Martinez and opens up the HBO Boxing After Dark Telecast, once again on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York.

Verdejo knows plenty will be watching and understand that he has to learn from his past performances.

“It hasn’t been my best nights,” Verdejo told BoxingScene.com. “But I think I can learn from the mistakes I made those nights. It’s what it’s about, you keep learning from your mistakes so you can keep getting better. I feel strong. I’m just ready for Saturday.”

A few months back when Verdejo made a stop in New York to promote the fight, his trainer Ricky Marquez told BoxingScene that there would be changes in his camp. Those changes revolved around a nutritionist and sports psychologist.

Verdejo says the changes have improved his camp and hopes it shows Saturday.

“The food part,” Verdejo joked. “I feel much energized, the diet was better. I feel a lot more physically in line with my goals. Hopefully, it will show in the fight”

As for the mental part of his camp, Verdejo said, “It just basically get to manage critics better and to keep my motivation better.”