Tag: Felix Verdejo

Weekend Review: Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue gave us precious gifts

Weekend Review: Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue gave us precious gifts during an unforgettable week of boxing.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Terence Crawford

To understand the magnitude of what Crawford accomplished on Saturday in Las Vegas we must consider his opponent. Errol Spence was a former Olympian, unbeaten professional with an impressive resume, No. 4 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list (Crawford is No. 1) and a three-belt welterweight titleholder. The fight was 50-50 on paper. And Crawford made Spence look like a journeyman, outboxing him, putting him down three times and finally knocking him out in the ninth round to become the first undisputed welterweight champion in the four-belt era and the first man to be “undisputed” in a second division. It was near-perfect performance on a big stage, one that stamps Crawford as the best 147-pounder of his era and an all-time great when his previous accomplishments are also taken into account. And it came just in the nick of time. He had trouble for years luring his top welterweight rivals into the ring because of promotional rivalries, leading many to wonder whether he’d ever get a chance to prove what he could do at the highest level of the sport. He finally received that opportunity at 35, an age when most fighters have begun to decline. “I kept praying to God that I’d get the opportunity show the world how great Terence Crawford is,” he said after his victory. “And tonight I believe I showed how great I am.” Indeed he did. He was brilliant.

BIGGEST WINNER II
Naoya Inoue

We might never see a week like this past one again. On Saturday, Crawford gave us one of the best performances in recent memory. And, four days earlier, Naoya Inoue did the same thing. The Japanese star dominated and then stopped previously unbeaten 122-pounder Stephen Fulton Jr. in eight rounds in Tokyo, giving Inoue major titles in a fourth division and taking our collective breath away in the process. Inoue left no doubt that he’s one of the best ever. His combination of ability, speed and power might be unrivaled in the sport today, perhaps even by the gifted Crawford. Fulton is an excellent, proven all-around fighter and he was utterly lost against Inoue almost the entire fight, which was stunning to watch. And “The Monster” is only 30, meaning he has a lot more to give. That’s bad news for those in and around his weight. Who’s better, Crawford or Inoue? Arguments can and will be made for both men. The best way to look at it might be this: We’re fortunate to have two such great fighters on the scene at the same time. And the fact they both performed their magic only days apart last week was a true blessing.

BIGGEST LOSER
Errol Spence Jr.

Errol Spence Jr. went down three times during a disastrous night for him  Al Bello / Getty Images

Spence told me about a week and a half before the fight that his showdown with Crawford wouldn’t define his career. He’s right. He was all but guaranteed a spot in the Hall of Fame going into the fight because of a six-year reign as a titleholder, pound-for-pound status and victories over the likes of Kell Brook, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter and other big-name opponents. At the same time, the legacy of a fighter doesn’t remain unscathed after the kind of beating Spence endured at T-Mobile Arena. Spence passed the aforementioned tests but this one, against Crawford, was by far his biggest one. And he failed it badly. He didn’t just lose; he was outclassed and ultimately pummeled, which was shocking to witness given his past success. The brutality of the beat down and the image of Spence’s bloodied, bruised face during and after the fight is now etched in our memories. Spence remains a formidable fighter, just not the best, which he aspired to be. He’ll always be seen as inferior to Crawford unless he gets the rematch he wants and somehow turns the tables on his conqueror. And most of us will agree: That’s highly unlikely. Spence would be wise to move on from Crawford and up to 154 pounds, where more success awaits him.

BIGGEST LOSER II
Nonito Donaire

So long Nonito Donaire? “The Filipino Flash” might’ve fought for the last time on the Crawford-Spence card, on which he lost a unanimous decision to Alexandro Santiago in a fight for a vacant 118-pound title. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer was competitive but he showed his age, as his 27-year-old opponent was a step ahead of him from beginning to end. Donaire inadvertently hinted that he might be slipping, saying, “There were just some times there where I didn’t pull the trigger.” That’s a classic sign of decline. He didn’t sound like a fighter who is ready to hang up the gloves in his post-fight interview but he might be wise to consider that option. How much more can he accomplish? He has already won nine major titles in four divisions over a career that has spanned more than two decades. And, again, the Hall awaits him. I’ll never forget his epic knockout of Vic Darchinyan in 2007, which opened our eyes to the fact that Donaire was a special talent and one of the most exciting fighters in the world. He maintained that reputation for another 15 years of thrills, a testament to his ability, discipline and staying power. He’ll be missed whenever he walks away.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

I think an immediate Crawford-Spence rematch is all wrong for Spence and everyone else involved. You can read my thoughts on that here. I’d like to see Crawford defend his 147-pound titles against a top contender (Jaron Ennis? Vergil Ortiz? Eimantas Stanionis? Keith Thurman?) and then target undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo after Charlo loses to Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 30. That fight could take place as soon as next spring. Spence should start the rebuilding process against a fringe contender in his next fight. … Lightweight contender Isaac Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs) defeated Giovanni Cabrera (21-1, 7 KOs) by a split decision in a 12-round bout on the Crawford-Spence card. Two judges had Cruz winning, 115-112 and 114-113. The third scored it for Cabrera, 114-113. The 115-112 score best reflected what happened in the ring. Cruz didn’t look spectacular but he maintained pressure on Cabrera and landed many more meaningful punches than him. According to CompuBox, Cruz had a 152-55 edge in power punches landed. I thought Cruz was in control most of the fight. That’s why I scored it 116-111 for Cruz, nine rounds to three. At least the right man won. …

Santiago’s victory over Donaire was a big step in his career. The Mexican, who turned pro at 16, outboxed a legend and took everything thrown at him to earn his first major title after failing in his first attempt, a draw with then 115-pound champ Jerwin Ancajas in 2018. The scoring on Saturday was spot on, 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113. I also had Santiago winning 116-112, eight rounds to four. Santiago could now give Donaire a rematch if the veteran wants one or target one of the two other 118-pound titleholders, Takuma Inoue and Jason Moloney. … Junior middleweight prospect Yoenis Tellez (6-0, 5 KOs) rewarded his handlers’ faith in him on the Crawford-Spence card. The 23-year-old Cuban native, now based in Houston, agreed to fight Sergio Garcia (34-3, 14 KOs) on short notice and made the most of the opportunity, stopping the Spanish veteran in only three rounds. Tellez has a lot going for him, ability, speed, power, poise. He’s one to watch. … Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) remained unbeaten Friday in Las Vegas, defeating Leonela Paola Yudica (19-2-3, 1 KO) by a unanimous decision in an entertaining fight. The 31-year-old strawweight titleholder from Los Angeles is one of the most consistent fighters in the world. …

News item: Former Puerto Rican star Felix Verdejo (27-2, 17 KOs) on Friday was convicted of kidnapping resulting in the death of his girlfriend and intentionally killing her unborn child in his native land. Verdejo reportedly injected her with some sort of liquid and then threw her off a bridge. He could receive a life sentence when he returns to court on Nov. 3. Tragic. … News item II: YouTubers-turned-boxers Jake Paul and KSI have announced that they will fight separate opponents on an Oct. 14 card in Manchester, England (DAZN).

[lawrence-related id=38354,38316,38311,38307,38284,38280,38203]

Weekend Review: Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue gave us precious gifts

Weekend Review: Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue gave us precious gifts during an unforgettable week of boxing.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Terence Crawford

To understand the magnitude of what Crawford accomplished on Saturday in Las Vegas we must consider his opponent. Errol Spence was a former Olympian, unbeaten professional with an impressive resume, No. 4 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list (Crawford is No. 1) and a three-belt welterweight titleholder. The fight was 50-50 on paper. And Crawford made Spence look like a journeyman, outboxing him, putting him down three times and finally knocking him out in the ninth round to become the first undisputed welterweight champion in the four-belt era and the first man to be “undisputed” in a second division. It was near-perfect performance on a big stage, one that stamps Crawford as the best 147-pounder of his era and an all-time great when his previous accomplishments are also taken into account. And it came just in the nick of time. He had trouble for years luring his top welterweight rivals into the ring because of promotional rivalries, leading many to wonder whether he’d ever get a chance to prove what he could do at the highest level of the sport. He finally received that opportunity at 35, an age when most fighters have begun to decline. “I kept praying to God that I’d get the opportunity show the world how great Terence Crawford is,” he said after his victory. “And tonight I believe I showed how great I am.” Indeed he did. He was brilliant.

BIGGEST WINNER II
Naoya Inoue

We might never see a week like this past one again. On Saturday, Crawford gave us one of the best performances in recent memory. And, four days earlier, Naoya Inoue did the same thing. The Japanese star dominated and then stopped previously unbeaten 122-pounder Stephen Fulton Jr. in eight rounds in Tokyo, giving Inoue major titles in a fourth division and taking our collective breath away in the process. Inoue left no doubt that he’s one of the best ever. His combination of ability, speed and power might be unrivaled in the sport today, perhaps even by the gifted Crawford. Fulton is an excellent, proven all-around fighter and he was utterly lost against Inoue almost the entire fight, which was stunning to watch. And “The Monster” is only 30, meaning he has a lot more to give. That’s bad news for those in and around his weight. Who’s better, Crawford or Inoue? Arguments can and will be made for both men. The best way to look at it might be this: We’re fortunate to have two such great fighters on the scene at the same time. And the fact they both performed their magic only days apart last week was a true blessing.

BIGGEST LOSER
Errol Spence Jr.

Errol Spence Jr. went down three times during a disastrous night for him  Al Bello / Getty Images

Spence told me about a week and a half before the fight that his showdown with Crawford wouldn’t define his career. He’s right. He was all but guaranteed a spot in the Hall of Fame going into the fight because of a six-year reign as a titleholder, pound-for-pound status and victories over the likes of Kell Brook, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter and other big-name opponents. At the same time, the legacy of a fighter doesn’t remain unscathed after the kind of beating Spence endured at T-Mobile Arena. Spence passed the aforementioned tests but this one, against Crawford, was by far his biggest one. And he failed it badly. He didn’t just lose; he was outclassed and ultimately pummeled, which was shocking to witness given his past success. The brutality of the beat down and the image of Spence’s bloodied, bruised face during and after the fight is now etched in our memories. Spence remains a formidable fighter, just not the best, which he aspired to be. He’ll always be seen as inferior to Crawford unless he gets the rematch he wants and somehow turns the tables on his conqueror. And most of us will agree: That’s highly unlikely. Spence would be wise to move on from Crawford and up to 154 pounds, where more success awaits him.

BIGGEST LOSER II
Nonito Donaire

So long Nonito Donaire? “The Filipino Flash” might’ve fought for the last time on the Crawford-Spence card, on which he lost a unanimous decision to Alexandro Santiago in a fight for a vacant 118-pound title. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer was competitive but he showed his age, as his 27-year-old opponent was a step ahead of him from beginning to end. Donaire inadvertently hinted that he might be slipping, saying, “There were just some times there where I didn’t pull the trigger.” That’s a classic sign of decline. He didn’t sound like a fighter who is ready to hang up the gloves in his post-fight interview but he might be wise to consider that option. How much more can he accomplish? He has already won nine major titles in four divisions over a career that has spanned more than two decades. And, again, the Hall awaits him. I’ll never forget his epic knockout of Vic Darchinyan in 2007, which opened our eyes to the fact that Donaire was a special talent and one of the most exciting fighters in the world. He maintained that reputation for another 15 years of thrills, a testament to his ability, discipline and staying power. He’ll be missed whenever he walks away.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

I think an immediate Crawford-Spence rematch is all wrong for Spence and everyone else involved. You can read my thoughts on that here. I’d like to see Crawford defend his 147-pound titles against a top contender (Jaron Ennis? Vergil Ortiz? Eimantas Stanionis? Keith Thurman?) and then target undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo after Charlo loses to Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 30. That fight could take place as soon as next spring. Spence should start the rebuilding process against a fringe contender in his next fight. … Lightweight contender Isaac Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs) defeated Giovanni Cabrera (21-1, 7 KOs) by a split decision in a 12-round bout on the Crawford-Spence card. Two judges had Cruz winning, 115-112 and 114-113. The third scored it for Cabrera, 114-113. The 115-112 score best reflected what happened in the ring. Cruz didn’t look spectacular but he maintained pressure on Cabrera and landed many more meaningful punches than him. According to CompuBox, Cruz had a 152-55 edge in power punches landed. I thought Cruz was in control most of the fight. That’s why I scored it 116-111 for Cruz, nine rounds to three. At least the right man won. …

Santiago’s victory over Donaire was a big step in his career. The Mexican, who turned pro at 16, outboxed a legend and took everything thrown at him to earn his first major title after failing in his first attempt, a draw with then 115-pound champ Jerwin Ancajas in 2018. The scoring on Saturday was spot on, 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113. I also had Santiago winning 116-112, eight rounds to four. Santiago could now give Donaire a rematch if the veteran wants one or target one of the two other 118-pound titleholders, Takuma Inoue and Jason Moloney. … Junior middleweight prospect Yoenis Tellez (6-0, 5 KOs) rewarded his handlers’ faith in him on the Crawford-Spence card. The 23-year-old Cuban native, now based in Houston, agreed to fight Sergio Garcia (34-3, 14 KOs) on short notice and made the most of the opportunity, stopping the Spanish veteran in only three rounds. Tellez has a lot going for him, ability, speed, power, poise. He’s one to watch. … Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) remained unbeaten Friday in Las Vegas, defeating Leonela Paola Yudica (19-2-3, 1 KO) by a unanimous decision in an entertaining fight. The 31-year-old strawweight titleholder from Los Angeles is one of the most consistent fighters in the world. …

News item: Former Puerto Rican star Felix Verdejo (27-2, 17 KOs) on Friday was convicted of kidnapping resulting in the death of his girlfriend and intentionally killing her unborn child in his native land. Verdejo reportedly injected her with some sort of liquid and then threw her off a bridge. He could receive a life sentence when he returns to court on Nov. 3. Tragic. … News item II: YouTubers-turned-boxers Jake Paul and KSI have announced that they will fight separate opponents on an Oct. 14 card in Manchester, England (DAZN).

[lawrence-related id=38354,38316,38311,38307,38284,38280,38203]

Felix Verdejo makes strong statement with first-round knockout

Felix Verdejo needed less than a full round to stop Will Madera on Thursday inside the MGM Grand bubble in Las Vegas.

Felix Verdejo was once thought to be the heir apparent to Miguel Cotto as Puerto Rico’s brightest star. He certainly shined on Thursday night.

Verdejo needed less than a full round to blow away capable Will Madera inside the MGM Grand bubble in Las Vegas, thereby demonstrating that he might yet realize his potential and threaten the best 135-pounders.

“I took my time,” Verdejo said through a translator. “I came out here and settled. I wanted to measure  what he came out with, how hard he hit. Once I figured that out I let my hands go … and the knockout came.”

Verdejo (27-1, 17 KOs) was one of the hottest prospects in boxing in the mid-2010s, having fought in the 2012 Olympics and started his career with a string of impressive victories. And then he stalled.

The San Juan product suffered head trauma in a motorcycle accident in August 2016, which cost him a a possible shot at then-lightweight titleholder Terry Flanagan’s belt. And in March 2018 he was stopped in 10 rounds by Mexican Antonio Lozada Torres, leaving his future in doubt.

It seemed at that point that he might never realize his apparent potential.

Now it appears something might’ve clicked. He hired Cuban master Ismael Salas as his trainer before his previous fight, went to work and seems to have emerged with a new lease on his career at 27 years old.

At least that’s how it looked against the previously unbeaten Madera (15-1-3, 8 KOs) on Thursday night.

The fight was competitive for 2½ minutes, as both boxers were able to land punches here and there in what was largely a feel-out round. Then, in the final 30 seconds, Verdejo landed a shot that hurt Madera, trapped him in a corner and unloaded with the ferocity of a star.

A right uppercut, followed by another right hurt him again and a left-right put him flat on his back, bending his right knee awkwardly in the process. Referee Robert Hoyle could see Madera was in no condition to continue and stopped the fight with one second remaining in the round.

That performance certainly got the attention of those who reside in the deep lightweight division, including Vasiliy Lomachenko, who knocked Verdejo out of the Olympics in the quarterfinals.

This version of Verdejo, who is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, might be able to give any of the top 135-pounders trouble. He was asked afterward what message he sent to his lightweight rivals.

“Stay ready because Felix Verdejo is back and ready to fight against the best,” he said. “That’s my message for everyone of them. Be ready.”

Who in particular does he want?

“The top guy at 135 is Lomachenko,” he said. “He’s the best in the division. More important, we have some unfished business. I want to get the rematch for what happened in the Olympics.”

Verdejo suddenly seems adept at taking care of unfinished business.

In preliminaries, heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson of Toledo, Ohio, stopped Hector Perez 1:45 into their scheduled four-round fight.

Anderson (5-0, 5 KOs) punctuated a flurry of hard shots with an overhand right to the side of the head that knocked Perez (7-3, 3 KOs) to his hands and knees. He was too injured to continue, prompting referee Russell Mora to stop the fight.

It was Anderson’s fourth first-round knockout.

“That was too quick!” Anderson said. “I got him out of there and implemented what I’ve been working on in the gym. I want to return as soon as possible. I leave that in the hands of my promoter, but when they give me a date, I’ll be ready.

“It doesn’t matter who they put in front of me. Any of these guys who have fought in the ‘Bubble,’ I’ll fight them.”

Featherweight prospect Martino Jules of Allentown, Penn., survived a spirited effort from Aleem Jumakhanov of Tajikistan to win an eight-round junior lightweight bout by a majority decision.

Jules (10-0, 2 KOs) did particularly well when he boxed with the less-athletic Jumakhanov (8-3-2, 4 KOs) but Jumakhanov forced his way inside on numerous occasions, which allowed him to land punches and do damage on his terms.

In the end, Jules was able to outwork Jumakhanov to win 76-76, 78-74 and 78-74.

And, in a competitive four-round lightweight bout, Kenny Davis Jr. of Reno, Nevada, defeated Eduardo Sanchez of Corcoran, Calif., by a majority decision.

Davis (3-2-1, 0 KOs) put Sanchez (2-3, 0 KOs) down with a left to the body in the final seconds of Round 3 but lost a point in Round 4 when he lost his mouthpiece a second time. The scores were 37-37, 38-36 and 38-36.

Davis was fortunate he wasn’t disqualified. He landed a hard shot when Sanchez was on one knee after the knockdown.

 

Miguel Marriaga vs. Mark John Yap off; Felix Verdejo now in main event

The Miguel Marriaga-Mark John Yap fight scheduled for Thursday was canceled when Yap weighed in 8.7 pounds over the contracted weight.

Another fight card, another change in the lineup. Only this one wasn’t directly related to COVID-19.

The featured fight between Miguel Marriaga and Mark John Yap scheduled for Thursday night inside the bubble at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas was canceled when Yap weighed in Wednesday 8.7 pounds over the contracted weight.

Marriaga and Yap agreed to fight at 128. Yap weighed 136.7. Fight off, as per orders from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The new main event on ESPN will feature Felix Verdejo and Will Madera in a 10-round lightweight matchup. They both made the agreed-upon 136-pound limit, although it took Madera two tries.

Yap (30-15, 15 KOs), a journeyman from the Philippines, didn’t make any friends as a result of his lack of professionalism. In particular, Marriaga (29-3, 25 KOs) isn’t pleased. He was also scheduled to challenge then-featherweight champ in March but that bout was canceled because of the coronavirus.

“I just can’t catch a break,” Marriaga told BoxingScene.com. “It’s a shame. I was ready to fight.”

The main event for this past Tuesday’s show also fell out. Jamel Herring, set to defend his junior lightweight title against Jonathan Oquendo, tested positive a second time for COVID-19 and his fight was called off.

It was replaced by women’s matchup between Mikaela Mayer and Helen Joseph. Mayer took advantage of the platform, winning a near-shutout decision.

Could Verdejo (26-1, 16 KOs) follow suit?

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican,  once a hot prospect,  is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies. A victory on national TV Thursday would keep him in position to earn a long-awaited title shot.

Madera (15-0-3, 8 KOs), from Albany, N.Y., is taking a significant step up in opposition.

“Having passed the initial test of the scale, it is time to demonstrate tomorrow in the ring the result of all my dedication, effort, and perseverance,” Verdejo said.

“It will be different to fight in ‘The Bubble’ at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas without my fans, but I have no doubt that I will carry in my heart, my family, my people of Puerto Rico, and all who have supported me throughout my career.”

The fighters weighed in as follows: Verdejo (135.9) vs. Madera (135.8), 10 rounds; Jared Anderson (241.8) vs. Hector Perez (220.7), four rounds; Martino Jules (127) vs. Aleem Jumakhonov (125.1), eight rounds; and Kenny Davis Jr. (134.5) vs. Eduardo Sanchez (134.6), four rounds.

Felix Verdejo plans to stay busy in his comeback

One-time hot prospect Felix Verdejo, making a concerted effort to reclaim momentum, says he plans to fight again within a few months.

Felix Verdejo knows what idle means. It’s a euphemism, another way of saying you’re going nowhere. Busy is what Verdejo hopes to be. Needs to be.

Verdejo wants another fight within the next few months.

“I would say in March or April or June,’’ Verdejo told El Nuevo Dia, a Puerto Rican newspaper, about his plans after a unanimous decision over Mexican Manuel Rey Rojas on Jan. 18 in Verona, N.Y.

The fight was Verdejo’s first in nine months. For a lightweight with a prospect’s future after the 2016 Olympics, that’s long enough to be forgotten. But the Puerto Rican lightweight is fighting to remind everybody that he’s still around, still trying to fight his way into the 135-pound division’s championship mix.

“Gradually everything will fall into place, step by step,” said Verdejo (26-1, 16 KOs), who plans to resume training in Las Vegas as soon as possible.

The 26-year-old Verdejo is 3-0 since his lone loss, a stunning stoppage to Antonio Torres in March 2017 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. It was a defeat that shook Verdejo’s confidence and left doubt about his future.

“I will continue working,’’ he said. “There are things to improve.’’

He said his 10-round decision over Rojas was average. A C grade, he said. But he felt better about his performance after looking at the video.

‘’I didn’t look as bad as I thought,’’ said Verdejo, who still believes he needed to show more aggressiveness complemented by combinations and lateral movement.

Eleider Alvarez explodes with 7th-round knockout of Michael Seals

Eleider Alvarez started slow, but he picked up steam in the seventh round, downing Michael Seals with a heat-seeking right hand.

It was on pace to become one of the early year’s most tedious fights, replete with boos and hisses from a sleepy crowd. But Eleider Alvarez made sure that this light heavyweight bout would only be remembered for one thing: A howling right hand that gave Michael Seals a bad case of rigor mortis and the fans a reason, finally, to cheer. 

With a few seconds left in Round 7, Alvarez and Seals traded right hands, but Alvarez ducked as he threw his and landed first. Instantly, Seals froze up and toppled backward, his head hitting the bottom rope. As Seals lay on the canvas motionless for a few beats, the referee waved off the bout. It was a dramatic ending to what began as a slow-grinding, nearly apathetic affair at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. And just like that, the Colombian veteran is once more in the title hunt.

This was Alvarez’s first fight since he lost his belt to Sergey Kovalev on points in their rematch in February 2018. Since then, Alvarez, who lives and trains in Montreal, has been out of the ring for nearly a year, due primarily to an Achilles tear that he suffered in that fight. 

“I was out of the ring for 11 months,” Alvarez said after the fight Saturday. “I wanted to come back as the fighter that beat Kovalev, and this is what we prepared for.”

Neither Michael Seals (left) nor Eleider Alvarez did much until the deciding seventh round. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Neither fighter threw or landed many punches through six-plus rounds — the winner landed fewer than 50 punches, according to CompuBox — but Alvarez (25-1, 13 KOs) showed his superior class by outworking Seals (24-3, 18 KOs) with his jab. The 37-year-old Seals seemed intent on ending the fight with one big shot, but Alvarez rarely allowed him to set his feet. The result was a stalemate that didn’t go over well with the crowd.

Alvarez, 35, admitted that he was rusty in the beginning, noting that his “trainer was not happy because I wasn’t doing what he was asking.” But perhaps that also had to do with being wary of Seals’ ruinous right hand.

Alvarez’s knockout of Seals was reminiscent of his August 2018 stoppage of Kovalev to win the WBO light heavyweight title. 

Promoter Bob Arum has stated the winner would go on to face Joe Smith Jr., who beat Jesse Hart by a split decision on Jan. 11. Alvarez co-promoter Yvon Michel said recently that he believes there is a possibility that the vacant WBO belt could be on the line.

Alvarez was overjoyed to emerge victorious after a long layoff. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Once widely tapped as Puerto Rico’s next Felix Trinidad, lightweight Felix Verdejo, now 26, has been something of a reclamation project for the past few years. After tonight’s showing, it looks as if he will stay that way.

Verdejo decisioned Manuel Rey Rojas over 10 rounds in a ho-hum bout that made one wonder what the fuss was about all those years ago when Verdejo came out of the 2012 Olympics.

Verdejo (26-1 16 KOs), 26, won comfortably on scorecards that read 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92.

And yet it doesn’t appear the he helped himself inch closer to realizing his potential. The relatively innocuous Rojas (18-4, 5 KOs) was never truly imperiled by Verdejo at any time during the fight. What’s more, the Dallas native had success early on tagging Verdejo with stiff jabs and right hands. By Round 2, Verdejo, who has a history of swelling, already had a mouse form underneath his left eye. 

Verdejo was able to put some distance between himself and Rojas in the latter half of the bout, but the Puerto Rican never truly looked comfortable in the ring. You might say he seldom has since his motorcycle accident in 2016.

It seems even Verdejo himself knew he turned in a subpar performance. Afterward, he graded himself a C.

Christopher Diaz (25-2, 16 KOs) widely outpointed Adeilson dos Santos (19-8, 15 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight bout. All three judges scored it 80-72.

Also, new Top Rank lightweight signee Abraham Nova (18-0, 14 KOs) scored an impressive fourth-round knockout of Pedro Navarrete (30-25.

Felix Verdejo hires Ismael Salas in effort to recharge career

In a move Felix Verdejo hopes will help him regain momentum in his career, he has hired respected Cuban trainer Ismael Salas.

Felix Verdejo was once considered the next great fighter coming out of Puerto Rico. Emphasis on the word “was.”

The 2012 Olympian was expected to be a multi-time titleholder by now but injuries and a legal battle with his trainer-manager Ricky Marquez – as well as a stunning knockout loss to Antonio Lozada in March of last year, his first setback – has hampered his career.

Now, in a move Verdejo hopes will help him regain momentum, he has parted ways with Marquez and hired respected Cuban trainer Ismael Salas, with whom he’ll work in Las Vegas.

Salas, once an amateur coach in Cuba, trains Erislandy Lara and has worked with a number of other top fighters.

“I am proud to announce that Ismael Salas will be my new coach,” Verdejo said in a statement. “I am confident that in Salas I have found the coach that will take my boxing career to the next level.”

Verdejo (25-1, 16 knockouts) last fought in April, when he defeated Bryan Vasquez by a unanimous decision. His first fight with Salas is expected to take place in January, according to ESPN.com

“Salas is a terrific trainer and I think he fits Felix’s personality. Salas is a great choice,” Top Rank Vice President Carl Moretti told the website.