Verdejo: Needs to Make Adjustments

[Da Boxer]

People have been really critical of the kid. I think what we are seeing is a prospect that has been facing overmatched opposition and has not had to change anything. He's not being forced to think.

This is why you want to match prospects up with tough veteran fighters that make them think, adjust and learn something that they can take away from every fight. He should have been fighting former world class fighters (guys like DeMarcus Corley) that will make him think and teach him things. How to create openings with feints, how to set up your offense, how to open up a defensive minded opponent, why you got hit with certain shots, etc. etc.

22 fights in he hasn't even faced a former world title contender. Just dancing around guys with padded records won't cut it for him. I kind of blame HBO because they like opponents with flashy records and turn their nose up at those tough vets with 10-15 losses.

Excellent assessment and I agree.

and I also like Wild Card for the kid as well.

[sicko]

The dude is 22 years old of course he has some things he needs to work out.

He will be fine, just don't want Arum to ruin him by trying to rush him into stardom because he is not ready for that right now.

[BostonGuy]

I thought his workrate was pretty dismal. He seems content throwing single shots or he'll throw a nice combination only to reset and move around, instead of following up with more punches. Verdejo doesn't have to be a 'pressure fighter' but I think he needs to up the tempo a little more with his offense.

[bballchump11]

His defense seems to comprise of putting his hands up in a shell or hopping away. I fear that a fighter that is good at forcing an inside fight will beat him. He didn't really slip punches, doesn't parry much, doesn't roll or anything. Very one dimensional on defense.

[_original_]

Not to hate on the kid but he might be Juanma Lopez 2.0, he's pretty wild and doesn't seem to think much in there. That can only take you so far, what happens when he faces a gritty volume puncher or a smooth counter puncher?

[_original_]

His defense seems to comprise of putting his hands up in a shell or hopping away. I fear that a fighter that is good at forcing an inside fight will beat him. He didn't really slip punches, doesn't parry much, doesn't roll or anything. Very one dimensional on defense.

I agree, he might be the next Juanma Lopez, sadly.

[daggum]

why are they showing him on hbo so early is the big question? he's not exciting at all and he's not fighting anyone good so it really seems like an attempt to make another berto/broner. well he's puerto rican and boxing needs one star puerto rican and cotto is old so lets make it this guy!

[bigjavi973]

I thought his workrate was pretty dismal. He seems content throwing single shots or he'll throw a nice combination only to reset and move around, instead of following up with more punches. Verdejo doesn't have to be a 'pressure fighter' but I think he needs to up the tempo a little more with his offense.

Verdejo, as I've seen alot of his fights, is a natural counter puncher. He has a sweet check left hook and a good overhand right. Other things he can work on but if you are a counter puncher you will stay a counter puncher.


that & vasyl lomachenko, from what I've heard, said that Verdejo was his TOUGHEST fight in the amateurs.

[boliodogs]

He hasn't fought anybody good yet including the guy he just fought. I thought he should have KOed the guy but he never really tried very hard to get the KO. I can see the potential but he does need lots of improvement if he is ever going to be a superstar many say he will be. I am very impressed with the speed and power of his left hook and his straight right. He has to learn how to actually land them more often and step up the low quality of his opposition a lot. Spence is the real next superstar to me but he is 3 years older. Maybe Vedejo will catch up with him in the next few years.

[HI-TECH Boxing]

Verdejo, as I've seen alot of his fights, is a natural counter puncher. He has a sweet check left hook and a good overhand right. Other things he can work on but if you are a counter puncher you will stay a counter puncher.


that & vasyl lomachenko, from what I've heard, said that Verdejo was his TOUGHEST fight in the amateurs.

Lomachenko said he was the toughest out of Valdez, Verdejo and Ramirez not his toughest overall if I'm not mistaken.