We have a very interesting card of fights on Thursday with Will Madera and Felix Verdejo leading the way as our main event. They were the co-feature prior to one member of the previous main attraction coming in eight LBS overweight. That fight has been cancelled. We have fan favorite, USA heavyweight Jared Anderson on the card for the second time since Top Rank and ESPN brought boxing back. With the 135 LB division loaded from top to bottom, this is an opportunity for Verdejo to prove he’s a contender and not just a stepping stone.
Felix Verdejo vs. Will Madera
He may be 28 fights into his career and only have one loss, but the quality of competition has impacted Verdejo’s status in professional boxing. He has a really strong win against Bryan Vasquez and William Silva, but those are the only two names anyone would recognize. His one loss he was TKO’d in the 10th and final round while up on two judges scorecards, which is absolutely devastating. Verdejo, the former Olympian, has not been a big volume puncher recently as he threw just 450 punches in his fight this past January. Madera is a respectable opponent, but not one he should have a problem with. He’s never lost, but has three draws over his last seven fights.
Prediction: Verdejo wins by decision -250
Jared Anderson vs. Hector Perez
It’s only four fights into his career and everybody is gushing over Jared Anderson’s prospects as a future heavyweight contender. He still has a TON to prove, obviously, but he’s looked really sharp during these early stages of his career. Anderson has tons of power and has four straight knockouts to start his career. We’ve also seen Perez in the bubble and he looked really good, controlled distance well against a smaller opponent and really dominated over six rounds. He doesn’t possess a ton of power, however, knocking out three of his opponents over his first nine professional fights. Anderson ends this one early
Prediction: Anderson wins by TKO/KO or DQ