Felix Verdejo Very Motivated Ahead of Evangelista Clash

By Jake Donovan

An opponent for his next ring appearance was only confirmed a week ago, but Felix Verdejo has been ready for the fight from the moment his last one ended.

The unbeaten lightweight contender will return home to face Mexico’s Daniel Evangelista Jr., with their bout due to take place April 16 live from Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The matchup was first reported by BoxingScene.com’s Steve Kim last week, but it mattered little whom would be in the opposite corner as far as Verdejo is concerned.

“The name of my opponent makes no difference. I want to fight the best, but I don’t choose my opponents, I leave that to Ricky (Marquez) and Top Rank,” Verdejo (20-0, 14KOs) said of the upcoming assignment, which will air live on Unimas. “I always prepare well for any opponent and this time won’t be (any) exception.”

Verdejo is coming off of a 10-round decision win over previously unbeaten William Silva on February 27 at Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City. The bout aired live on HBO in front a sold-out arena, including plenty of supporters for the unbeaten Boricua in the heavily Puerto Rican-populated region.

The fight itself, however, left a lot to be desired as the rising contender – who represented Puerto Rico in the 2012 London Olympics before turning pro later that year – was presented with an opponent more intent in turning a fight into a boxing match.

It shouldn’t at all be a concern versus Evangelista Jr. (18-6-2, 14KOs), an old-school Mexican slugger who enters every bout desiring to feel like he’s been in a fight. The strategy has produced mixed results for the six-year fight veteran, who turns 26 on Tuesday.

Through three-plus years as a pro, Verdejo has shown a flair for adjusting to his opponent’s style, be it in an early round knockout or going 10 hard rounds. His only career hindrance thus far has been fighting through injury. He was active through his first two full years as a pro, but forced to slow down in 2015 due to chronic hand injuries, as he was forced to pull out of scheduled bouts at two separate points in the year.

Still, he managed to squeeze in three fights on the year, two of which took place in his native Puerto Rico. His year-end homecoming – a 2nd round stoppage of Brazil’s Josenilson Dos Santos last December – came after successful hand surgery and full injury rehabilitation that ultimately postponed that very fight originally scheduled for last Halloween in Kissimmee, Florida.

The six-month break allowed a ring return at 100% capacity, now looking to make up for lost time. Should he emerge successful on April 16, Verdejo is already being groomed for a New York City return on June 11, appearing on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day parade for the third straight year.

Such a schedule will give him four fights in a span of six months, thus putting him back on track for the title aspirations he carried heading into the new year. 

“I will be in my best condition to once again (please my fans),” Verdejo insists.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox