Felix Verdejo: record, next fight and profile →
Puerto Rican lightweight contender Felix "Diamante" Verdejo is not a lost cause, according to two well-known Puerto Rican trainers and the boxer's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank. Trainers Juan de León and Félix Pagán Pintor explained separately that the 24-year-old has the tools to restart his career after suffering his first setback.
Ricky Marquez, trainer and manager of Puerto Rican lightweight contender Felix "El Diamante" Verdejo, is confident that his boxer will return even stronger from last weekend's upset loss. Verdejo (23-1, 15 KO's) took a major hit last Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York, when he was stopped in the tenth and final round by hard-hitting Antonio Lozada Jr. of Mexico.
He has neither special technique nor unusual punching power but no one demands more from himself than the former U.S. Olympian, a trait that could take him a long way in his chosen sport. Ramirez (22-0, 16 knockouts) is no better than Amir Imam (21-2, 18 KOs) in most ways but overwhelmed him nonetheless because he didn’t give Imam a chance to breathe, pushing leather into his face and body from the opening bell to win a unanimous decision and the vacant WBC 140-pound title.
Felix "El Diamante" Verdejo returned to Puerto Rico this afternoon - but not as he would have liked. On a cloudy and rainy afternoon, the popular Puerto Rican boxer returned home just over 12 hours after having suffered the first defeat of his professional career, by technical knockout at The Theater of Madison Square Garden in New York City.
NEW YORK – Before Saturday night, Bob Arum still held out hope for Felix Verdejo. Even after all the injuries, subpar preparation and drama that slowed the lightweight contender’s development, his promoter wanted to believe that the Puerto Rican fighter would reach his potential. Not even Arum remains hopeful following Verdejo’s 10th-round technical knockout loss Saturday night to Antonio Lozada Jr. in The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Verdejo, Lozada Fight Photos Gallery - New York City, Hulu Theater, Madison Square Garden, - Puerto Rican lightweight Felix Verdejo (23-1) lost for the first time in his pro career when he was stopped by Mexico's Antonio Lozada Jr. (39-2, 33 KOs) with 23 seconds left in the 10th and final round.
Felix "El Diamante" Verdejo, once regarded as the best prospect in Puerto Rican boxing and the future heir to the throne of Miguel Cotto, has been declining for the last few years - due to injuries and lackluster performances. On Saturday night at The Theater in New York's Madison Square Garden, his career came crashing when he was knocked down and then stopped in the tenth round of his clash with knockout artist Antonio Lozada Jr. of Mexico.
NEW YORK – Felix Verdejo was supposed to be boxing’s next Miguel Cotto, a Puerto Rican icon who headlined huge shows at Madison Square Garden. Instead, Verdejo got knocked out by an unknown opponent in a non-televised fight Saturday night in The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Mexico’s Antonio Lozada knocked down Verdejo with a left hand in the 10th round. Verdejo got up and tried his best to survive, but a New York State Athletic Commission physician ordered referee Eddie Claudio to stop the bout because he thought Verdejo was taking too much punishment while trying to survive Lozada’s onslaught.
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum is skeptical about the promise of a new and improved Felix 'Diamante' Verdejo - who returns to the ring tomorrow night in New York. Verdejo will take part in his first fight in 13 months against Mexican puncher Antonio Lozada Jr. at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden.
Verdejo, Diaz, Pedraza Weigh-In Photos Gallery - World title challengers Jose Ramirez and Amir Imam, and undefeated Irish featherweight sensation Michael Conlan, took part in the official weigh-in ahead of a special St. Patrick’s Day world title extravaganza, Saturday, March 17, at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. (photos by Mikey Williams).