UniMas Quick Pick

Verdejo will look to remain undefeated as a pro

Felix Verdejo vs. Jose Luis Rodriguez: At only 22-years old Felix Verdejo (20-0, 14 KO) is still just a prospect but he already has a large fanbase and looks like a future star.  Verdejo is being brought along at a slow and deliberate pace and this Saturday on UniMas he will continue his busy schedule with a bout against Jose Luis Rodriguez (18-8, 11 KO).  The fight is scheduled to go 10 rounds in the lightweight division and it will continue a trend of Verdejo staying very busy.  Since the start of 2014 Verdejo has fought 11 times including once already in 2016.  In fact, Rodriguez isn't even the only fight Verdejo has lined up as he is already scheduled to face his best opponents to date, Jose Felix Jr., in June.  Verdejo is an orthodox fighter who seems more athletic than most and is definitely a boxer-puncher.  The young fighter has fast hands and with them throws a good jab, especially to the body.  With that jab Verdejo also has a left hook, his best punch, and a stiff straight right hand that can do damage.  So far Verdejo's defense has been a great offense and while he will need to improve it slightly going forward as of now it hasn't mattered much.  As for Rodriguez, there is no tape or highlights of him online and that is never a good sign for a fighter.  The reason for that is because it usually means they have been fighting at a very low level.  We do know that Rodriguez is 29 years old and fights out of the orthodox stance.  On his resume are losses to average and sub par fighters and Verdejo should have trouble with him, if he was expected to this fight probably wouldn't have been made.  In his eight career losses Rodriguez has been knocked out three times and on Saturday those numbers will rise to nine and four as Verdejo gets the fifth round stoppage win.