By Jake Donovan
Felix Verdejo made his third ring appearance of 2014, though at the rate in which he continues to win could fight every week if he wanted to.
The 2012 Puerto Rican Olympic boxer - who was named 2013 Prospect of the Year by Boxingscene.com - needed just 74 seconds to get rid of overmatched Ivan Zavala in their co-feature battle Saturday evening in Orlando, Florida.
The bout came in supporting capacity to a featherweight bout between Orlando Cruz and Gamalier Rodriguez, which airs via tape-delay on UniMas in the United States.
A straight right hand was enough to end the fight, as Verdejo put Zavala down and out with the first clean punch he was able to land.
"I want to give the glory to God for allowing me to enjoy me this opportunity of please the fans here in Orlando. I am very pleased (with my performance)," said Verdejo, now 12-0 (9KO). "I boxed as my corner instructed me to, and the knockout just came."
Verdejo has scored knockouts in all three ring appearances in 2014. The rising lightweight prospect - who turns 21 in May - returns to the ring on June 7 in New York City, fighting on the undercard of Boricua superstar Miguel Cotto in his title challenge of middleweight king Sergio Martinez.
The bout will mark Verdejo's fourth trip to New York, and his second appearance on a Cotto undercard. His previous assignment in supporting capacity to his fellow islander came last October, when both fought in Orlando for the first time in their respective careers.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
