By Miguel Rivera
Puerto Rican contender Felix Verdejo (23-0, 15 KOs) has revealed that his next fight will likely come against World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight champion Terry Flanagan (33-0, 13 KOs).
Verdejo is the mandatory challenger to Flanagan's title.
"The opponent [for my next fight] is going to be Flanagan," El Vocero was told by Verdejo. "The date for the fight is what we are waiting for, but I'm going to be in there with Flanagan."
Originally there was a plan to have Flanagan fight Verdejo on June 10 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. That won't happen. There is no indication on where the fight will take place or when it will land as far as the date.
The fight was scheduled to take place last fall, but the contest fell out after Verdejo was involved in a motorcycle accident in Puerto Rico.
For Verdejo, it will be a golden opportunity to claim a world title after his lackluster unanimous decision against Nicaraguan Oliver Flores in February at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.
"I feel very good, thank God. I'm training; I'm focused. I'm working hard in the gym, because we are so close to what I expected in my career and we are preparing for that. Physically I'm ready. We are doing things that I did not do before to improve my physical conditioning - that is what we are looking for and we are preparing ourselves."
Verdejo has been working quietly at the gym, away from the cameras and interviews.
"These highs and lows have taught me a lot and I have taken things more seriously and now, as one says, the [playing around] is finished and we are going to rise to the top. I'm going to take advantage of the opportunities and talent that God gave me and continue developing myself," Verdejo said.