Saturday, June 13, 2015, Nicholas Walters (25-0, 21 KOs) and Felix Verdejo (17-0, 13 KOs) headline in separate bouts on a world championship card in New York during Puerto Rican Day Parade Weekend.
With 34 knockout victories between them, fireworks are all but assured for this event which will take place in The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Walters, from Montego Bay, Jamaica, who is in the third year of his championship reign, will defend his world title against top 10 contender Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga (20-0, 18 KOs), of Arjona, Colombia.
Verdejo, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in his live HBO debut, will make the first defense of his newly-won WBO Latino lightweight title against against Ivan “Bam Bam” Najera (16-0, 8 KOs), of San Antonio, TX.
Both fights will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 10:00 pm, EST/PST.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for each bout and let us know who you think will win.
All photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Felix Verdejo
vs.
Ivan Najera
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
Felix Verdejo is all the rage in Puerto Rico. He’s got the look and the skill sets of a star, but sadly he’s being held by the hand on his way up. He’s had 17 fights, winning 13 by knockout, and I don’t even think he’s been in a 10 rounder.
Ivan Najera has a decent record and is undefeated, but he doesn’t seem to be a real threat. I think Top Rank’s plan is to showcase him to build some recognition in the lower 48.
Verdejo wins this fight easily and he’s somewhat fun to watch against lesser skilled cannon fodder. Personally, I’d rather they show some love to Mike “Yes Indeed” Reed and televise his undercard fight. RBRBoxing writer Leann Perez said Reed’s coming to put on a show and I believe it.
Prediction: Verdejo
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Simply put in one word, Verdejo.
I think Felix Verdejo is miles ahead of Ivan Najera in style and skill and he wins easily going away.
Prediction: Verdejo
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
It’s another battle of the undefeated, but a step up in class for Ivan Najera. Expect Najera to give a spirited effort and to bank some early rounds.
Around the fifth round Felix Verdejo will start pulling away and stop Najera in seven.
Prediction: Verdejo
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
Felix Verdejo is looking to become the next Miguel Cotto, Puerto Rico’s biggest boxing superstar, but he will have to get through one tough customer this weekend in Ivan Najera.
The difference is talent and experience, while both are undefeated, Verdejo is by far the more talented fighter and has been in with stiffer competition.
Najera doesn’t really have one-punch knockout power, so take that out, and you’ve got a clear-cut decision victory for Verdejo in front of a crowd who’ll be looking to take them in as one of their own.
Prediction: Verdejo
Porfirio Barron Jr., Photographer
Felix Verdejo with a KO in the early rounds. Ivan Najera has never been in the ring with someone like Verdejo.
Prediction: Verdejo
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Some prospects are brought up to be stars, others are brought up to be fed to stars. Felix Verdejo is clearly being brought up as a star and the heir Miguel Cotto’s Puerto Rican throne.
Harold Lederman called this a showcase bout for Verdejo and when you look at the particular’s it’s obvious that he’s right. Ivan Najera, while tough, does not have the pedigree to hang with Verdejo for too long. He’s too short, too hittable and doesn’t have the offensive fire power to push Verdejo back.
Verdejo will show off his athleticism and finishing power and move on to bigger and better matchups.
Prediction: Verdejo
Nicholas Walters
vs.
Miguel Marriaga
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
The Axe Man Nicholas Walters is on fire right now and looking to chop down any challenger who threatens his title. Marriaga is no slouch on paper, winning all but two of his 20 professional fights by knockout. Marriaga seems to have a punch that should cause concern, threatening Walters rise to stardom.
Ultimately, Walters has the edge in experience, facing notable world class competition like Donaire and a slowing Darchinyan. He’s going to need it to ensure that the top prospect doesn’t get lucky.
Walters has been hurt and even dropped in his fight with Donaire, which may give Mariagga a little confidence in his chances to upset the apple cart.
I expect Walters’ edge in skill, experience, and his resilience to aide him in a possibly exciting fight as both guys are punchers. Hopefully we get a unification bout between Walters and Lomachenko as a result.
Prediction: Walters
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
This could be fun as both fighters are undefeated and they can both punch.
Miguel Marriaga defeated Nicholas Walters as amateurs and although this can go either way, I will put my stock in Walters to get revenge and end it before the final bell.
Prediction: Walters
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
With a combined record of 45-0, 39 KOs, this is almost a can’t miss thriller that won’t go 12.
I think that will be the case and Nicholas Walters will put Miguel Marriaga away in seven. Walters is riding a big wave of momentum and will be on an absolute mission to close the show impressively again to retain his title.
His resume is far more solid, but can’t afford to get careless. This one will be fun!
Prediction: Walters
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
An interesting matchup between two big punchers. The question is will Miguel Marriaga be able to do to Nicholas Walters what he’s done to a bunch of scrubs over his career?
I think not. Walters will circle away from Marriaga’s best punch, the left hook, and destroy him with stiff jabs and hard right hands. Looks like another quick outing for the “Axe Man.”
Prediction: Walters
Porfirio Barron Jr., Photographer
Prediction: Walters
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Nicholas Walters has one of the most wicked jabs in the game. I expect him to use it early and often against Miguel Marriaga. Marriaga does hold an amateur victory over Walters, but that shouldn’t matter much here.
Nonito Donaire was able to seriously buzz Walters, so there is always the chance that Marriaga can land a big blow and swing things in his favor, but ultimately I think Walters sets up his right-hand axe with a mean jab and stops a game Marriaga.
Prediction: Walters
