BRONX, NY -- The boxing gem of Puerto Rico, undefeated No. 2 world-rated lightweight contender FELIX "El Diamante" VERDEJO brought some Bronx cheer when he took a day away from his Puerto Rico-based training camp to press the flesh and throw some leather for his fans in New York. He made a two-hour special appearance at the 152nd Street Cultural Festival (152nd Street, between Jackson and Unions Avenues, Bronx, NY) earlier today.
Verdejo took to the stage to address his fans followed by a meet & greet session where fans got his autograph and posed for photos with him. He ended his day at the Festival with an hour-long public workout. Joining Verdejo in the open workout was undefeated featherweight prospect Christopher "Pitufo" Diaz from Barranquitas, Puerto Rico.
"The past few years the fans in New York have made me feel right at home with all the support and affection I have received from them at the Bronx Festival," said Verdejo. "I'm very happy to return and share a good time with all my boricuas in New York."
Verdejo (21-0, 14 KOs), from San Juan, Puerto Rico, will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino lightweight title against Juan Jose.Martinez (25-2, 17 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico, on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade, Saturday, June 11, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
The card will also feature world champions ROMAN "Rocky" MARTINEZ (29-2-3, 17 KOs), from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico and VASYL LOMACHENKO (5-1, 3 KOs), of Ukraine, colliding for Martinez's WBO junior lightweight world title.
Both fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Diaz (16-0, 10 KOs) will be featured on the non-televised undercard in an eight-round featherweight bout against Neftali Campos (11-1, 9 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico.
Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Puerto Rico Best Boxing, Diamante Promotions and Madison Square Garden, remaining tickets to the Martinez vs. Lomachenko / Verdejo vs. Martinez championship doubleheader are priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $35. Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com.
