Felix Verdejo returns to form with round 1 KO of Will Madera

Lightweight boxer Felix Verdejo hasn’t lived up to expectations, but his KO of Will Madera in round 1 has rejuvenated past hopes and dreams. 

Lightweight boxer Felix Verdejo has struggled with expectations throughout his nearly eight-year career, but he took a big step towards righting the ship against Will Madera.

Verdejo (27-1, 17 KOs), 27, of Puerto Rico, was a 2012 Olympian and started his professional career hot with 23 straight wins. People were optimistic that he would be the next great boxer from Puerto Rico, following the likes of Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

Verdejo’s career suffered a major setback after he sustained injuries in a 2016 motorcycle accident. He recovered, but his former sense of invincibility crumbled further after being stopped by Antonio Lozada Torres in 2017.

Verdejo was in position for a title shot before his 2016 accident, and the lone loss of his career halted any chances of becoming a world champion. He went on to win three fights after the Torres loss, but many thought that he could never live up to his previous hype. Verdejo never stopped trying to climb back to the top of the lightweight division.

After Mark John Yap badly missed weight, which canceled his contest with Miguel Marriaga on ESPN’s Tuesday, July 16, fight card, Verdejo vs. Madera was elevated to main event status.

Madera (15-1-3, 8 KOs), 29, of Albany, New York, wasn’t the most threatening opponent, but he’s a tough boxer with solid skills. Verdejo made him look like he was nothing.

Verdejo came into his contest with Madera as the favorite. Still, it would be easy to be skeptical of Verdejo’s chances of delivering a knockout based on several average showings in previous bouts. Instead, he put on a brief yet electric performance.

Felix Verdejo tried to prove to boxing fans that he’s back to his old form and is ready for the best boxers in the lightweight division.

Madera came out eagerly at the opening bell. He charged Verdejo and pushed him backward. Verdejo countered with a left hook, but Madera answered with jabs high and low. He also clipped Verdejo with two punches below the belt, which drew a warning from the referee.

It was a good start to the action. At first glance, it looked like Verdejo vs. Madera could shape up into a competitive bout. Verdejo quickly erased that notion.

With less than 20 seconds remaining in round 1, Verdejo caught Madera with a flashing right uppercut that hurt. Madera moved backward, but he was already in severe trouble, and Verdejo knew it.

Verdejo quickly moved in landing hooks that added to the damage, but it was another uppercut that nearly ended Madera, though he remained on his feet. He followed with a right hook and left hook that sent Madera into free-fall.

Referee Robert Hoyle got to the count of seven before he waved the fight off. Madera tried to regain his senses but didn’t come close to getting off the canvas under his own power.

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Verdejo isn’t a top-10 lightweight yet, but his eye-catching KO of Madera opens up more opportunities to showcase his talents. He looked like the fighter that many thought could one day become a world champion.

During his post-fight interview, Verdejo had a message for his fellow lightweights.

“Stay ready because Felix Verdejo is back,” said an exuberant Verdejo. “I’m ready to fight against the best, and that’s my message to every one of them. Be ready.”

Verdejo also stated that he would love a shot at unified titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko. That’s highly unlikely, but the two have history. Lomachenko defeated Verdejo at the 2012 Olympics in the quarterfinals.

“I want that rematch [with Lomachenko] for what happened in the Olympics,” said Verdejo.

Lomachenko is out of the question for the moment, but a few more high-profile wins could change that.