Felix "The Diamond" Verdejo wants to be in condition once the phone rings again to return this year to the ring.
The Puerto Rican fighter will soon return to Las Vegas, Nevada, to resume training in the gym of his new mentor, Cuban veteran coach Ismael Salas, after his recent victory in Verona, New York.
“With or without a date to return to the ring, I will continue working. There are things to improve, ”Verdejo told El Nuevo Día.
The 26-year-old former Olympian unanimously defeated Mexican contender Manuel Rey Rojas in a 10-round lightweight fight after a nine-month downtime. He improved his mark to 26-1 with 16 knockouts for his third straight win after the first setback of his career in March 2018.
If it were for Verdejo, he would return to action before the summer.
“I would say in March or April, in June. Top Rank has many dates in those months and if they call me I will be there. That's why I want to go to the gym early and be ready all year,” Verdejo said.
On his performance, the vice president of operations of Top Rank, Carl Morreti, applauded the performance.
“Felix did some things well. He did some things he needs to improve. The positive is that Felix is ??willing and wants to improve and do whatever it takes to get to the next level,” Morreti said.
Verdejo hopes that the desired opportunity to fight for a world title will soon be realized.
With a new air in his career after personal obstacles, the Puerto Rican self-criticized his performance against Rojas.
“I am calm and happy with the result. At least the work requested by Salas was done. I paid enough attention to the plan. I didn't look as bad as I thought. I lacked more aggressiveness, more combinations and lateral movements. Gradually everything will fall into place, step by step,” said Verdejo.
“I am aware that not all opponents are going to fall. Not everyone is going to endure the force that one brings. I can't feel bad if he was able to take the punch. I know he came ready because he came to fight and if he won, he would placed himself in a good position in his career."