Boxing Coverage on Sherdog.comNicholas Walters, Felix Verdejo to Co-Headline Puerto Rican Day Card in New York
The Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York is always a huge deal
annually and this year’s version of the festivities just received
an injection of excitement, as it was just announced that HBO will
televise a stellar double-header featuring two of boxing brightest
young stars in separate bouts.
Unbeaten WBA featherweight champion Nicholas Walters will put his belt on the line against highly-rated contender Miguel Marriaga. Walters (25-0, 21 KOs) has made huge waves since capturing his first world title by toppling elite-level opponents Vic Darchinyan and Nonito Donaire, both via crushing knockout. The Jamaican powerhouse is looking to become one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best, but Marriaga (20-0, 18 KOs) is no slouch. The Colombian knockout artist has stopped 13 of the last 14 men he’s faced.
Verdejo, one of Puerto Rico’s rising stars, recently captured the
vacant WBO lightweight title via fifth round stoppage of Marco
Antonio Lopez. He is slated to face off against unbeaten San
Antonio product Ivan Najera. Verdejo (17-0, 13 KOs) has been
ascending the 126-pound ladder for months and a win over Najera
(16-0, 8 KOs) will help his cause, should he prevail.
“Headlining at Madison Square Garden is every fighter's dream but to do it on HBO is a tremendous honor,” said Walters in a statement. “I have unfinished business with Miguel Marriaga. He kept me out of the 2008 Olympics when he beat me in the Americas Olympic Qualifier and I am ready to pay him back. I am going to chop him with the axe.”
Verdejo was equally as thrilled.
“I am very excited to be fighting in New York once again,” Verdejo said. “The New York area fans have been great and always make me feel like I am home. I know that the fight against Ivan Najera will not be easy. I will prepare myself to the maximum and sacrifice everything in the gym so that on fight night I will be at my best and bring the belt back to Puerto Rico.”
The card will be held inside the Theatre at Madison Square Garden and will be televised nationally by HBO on June 13.
Unbeaten WBA featherweight champion Nicholas Walters will put his belt on the line against highly-rated contender Miguel Marriaga. Walters (25-0, 21 KOs) has made huge waves since capturing his first world title by toppling elite-level opponents Vic Darchinyan and Nonito Donaire, both via crushing knockout. The Jamaican powerhouse is looking to become one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best, but Marriaga (20-0, 18 KOs) is no slouch. The Colombian knockout artist has stopped 13 of the last 14 men he’s faced.
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“Headlining at Madison Square Garden is every fighter's dream but to do it on HBO is a tremendous honor,” said Walters in a statement. “I have unfinished business with Miguel Marriaga. He kept me out of the 2008 Olympics when he beat me in the Americas Olympic Qualifier and I am ready to pay him back. I am going to chop him with the axe.”
Verdejo was equally as thrilled.
“I am very excited to be fighting in New York once again,” Verdejo said. “The New York area fans have been great and always make me feel like I am home. I know that the fight against Ivan Najera will not be easy. I will prepare myself to the maximum and sacrifice everything in the gym so that on fight night I will be at my best and bring the belt back to Puerto Rico.”
The card will be held inside the Theatre at Madison Square Garden and will be televised nationally by HBO on June 13.
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