By Miguel Rivera

Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum is confident that Felix Verdejo is ready to make the big jump. The move is dependent on the approval of his veteran matchmakers Brad Goodman and Bruce Trampler.

Arum would like to match Verdejo against the 135-pound champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Britain's Terry Flanagan. He wants to stage that fight on November 5th in Las Vegas, as part of the undercard to the comeback of Manny Pacquiao.

The veteran promoter has to speak with Flanagan's promoter, Frank Warren, to discuss the possibility of making that fight.

Verdejo, 23 and unbeaten with a record of 22-0 and 15KO's, and is coming off a knockout win in the fifth round over Juan José 'Piquet' Martinez at the Theater at Madison Square Garden last month. The victory also made ??the WBO Latino champion shoot up as the top ranking lightweight. 

"This is undoubtedly a great fight to be included on the card on November 5th, that will be headlined by Manny Pacquiao," said Arum to El Vocero.

"Our group of 'matchmakers' (Goodman and Trampler) believe in him because I'm just a promoter. They have better eye than me and understand that Felix is ??ready for that test."

Flanagan (31-0 12KO's) was in action last Saturday and defeated South African Mzonke Fana by way of unanimous decision at the Ice Arena in Cardiff, Wales, in what was his third title defense.

"I hope that fight can happen. We need to talk first with Frank Warren who is the promoter of Terry Flanagan , "said Arum.

Besides Flanagan, there are other options on the table for Verdejo - like a fight against former unified lightweight champion Juan 'Baby Bull' Diaz (41-4, 20KO's), or a showdown against Jose Felix (33-1- 25KO's ) of Mexico, who is the third-ranked fighter under the WBO. But Diaz and Felix both have to win their scheduled commitments announced for the month of August.