Young and competent, Felix Verdejo is a professional who may get sloppy between the matches.
However, his ring management skills and charismatic personality give him all of them. Best known for his 2012 Olympics match, Verdejo currently competes as a lightweight.
Verdejo has even been honored as the most popular Puerto Rican boxer. He compared another legendary fighter from Puerto Rico: Felix “Tito” Trinidad.
As a young and developing phase, he can be perfectly defined as one of the sport’s most exciting fighters.
“I loved boxing from the first day I tried it. As a professional boxer, I want to be a world champion. I want to unite my country and bring happiness to my people.”
-Felix Verdejo
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Félix Verdejo Sánchez |
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1993 |
| Birth Place | San Juan, Puerto Rica |
| Nick Name | El Diamante (“The Diamond”) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Age | 30 Years Old |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 61 kg (135 pounds) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Build | Athletic |
| Father’s Name | Not Available |
| Mother’s Name | Madeline Sanchez |
| Siblings | Two brothers and two sisters |
| Education | Not Available |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Not available |
| Kids | A daughter named Miranda |
| Profession | Boxer |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Weight’s category | Lightweight |
| Active Years | 2012-present |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Last Update | March, 2024 |
Body Measurements
Felix Verdejo is an athletic guy with a medium-built structure who stands at 5 ft 9 in (175 cm).
Apparently, during his career’s early phase, Verdejo started his diet and planned late. He maintained a 61 kg (135 pounds), and his reach extended to 72 inches (183 cm).
As for his appearance, Verdejo is a tan-skinned guy with curly black short hair. However, his eyes flaunt the brown color.
Felix Verdejo | Early Life
Verdejo (fully named Félix Verdejo Sánchez) was born on May 19, 1993, under Taurus’ sun sign in San Juan, Puerto Rica.
Furthermore, he is the son of Madeline Sanchez and has two brothers and two sisters as siblings.
To date, Verdejo’s early life, education, and much information about his family background are in the shade.
However, Felix Verdejo is the only boxer in his family. As I take you to short memory, he started boxing at the young age of nine.
Additionally, his childhood story of finding boxing is pure entertainment. According to the source, Verdejo was first involved with baseball during childhood.
In such an event, some other child (apparently a boxer) threw rocks at him.
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Thus, Verdejo, filled with innocence, went home to complain to his Father. Guess what his Father said? Well, he wanted Felix to learn boxing and have a spar! Then, it all started.
Felix Verdejo put on his gloves and trained in the club under the trainer Ricky Marquez.
Amateur Career
Verdejo showcased good traits as a boxer during his training phase and was, thus, really close soon enough. Following it, he bagged the Pan American Youth Championship in 2010.
Verdejo even claimed the gold in Ecuador’s International Tournament golden belt and was later titled the tournament’s best fighter.
Afterward, just as an 18-year-old, Verdejo also claimed the 2012 American Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament. His glorious victory was against the Mexican rival in the lightweight division.
He also partook in the 2012 Summer Olympics, where he lost against Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine. However, he defeated Panamanian José Huertas and Tunisian Ahmed Mejri.
Simultaneously, he also bagged the gold in Cheo Aponte International Tournament and the Americas Olympic Classificatory Tournament in Brazil.
Felix Verdejo | Professional Career
After accomplishing his little steps, Verdejo stood as a professional boxer after signing in with Top Rank.
As they signed the contract in October 2012, their contract had a bonification of $600,000.
In the bargain, Verdejo first bagged the 2013 Premios Juventud; hence, BoxingScene and Top Rank voted him in for the “Prospect of the Year.”
Later, Verdejo faced the undefeated Lauro Alcantar at the start of 2014.
As for that fight, he won the match by knockout in only 21 seconds. He stood with a career record of 16–0 (KO 12), while ESPN.com named him the ‘Prospect of the Year for 2014.
WBO Latino championship
Before fighting for Verdejo’s original title on February 25, he faced a hand injury and was, thus, postponed to April 25.
As a result, Verdejo won the match in Puerto Rico via a technical knockout in the fifth round.
Similarly, Verdojo made his HBO debut on June 13 at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City.
Overall, his first match in the HBO also came as his foremost title defense over undefeated American Ivan Najera by unanimous decision.
Following it, he had victories over Brazilian Josenilson Dos and Brazilian William Silva (win via unanimous decision).
Afterward, his fight took two months later against the Mexican Jose Luis Rodriguez at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente.
Verdejo was supposed to face Daniel Evangelista; however, he withdrew due to tendonitis (tendon disorder).
Verdejo took over Rodriguez and stood #2 in the lightweight while he was #3 in the WBO.
Even after it, he featured in the WBO super featherweight champion Martinez vs. Lomachenko.
At the event, Verdejo took victory over Mexican boxer Juan Jose Martinez and was expected to face lightweight contender Jose Felix Jr.
However, Felix was reported to ask for ‘four times the money available for Verdejo’s opponent, due to which they couldn’t decide.
Likewise, at the end of the event, Verdejo spoke through his translator that he wanted to fight the best.
In addition, he was set up with the WBO champion Terry Flanagan for early November, which went down the drain due to his motorcycle injuries.
Consequently, Verdejo returned to the arena on February 3, 2017, against Oliver Flores at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan.
The match aired as the victory through a unanimous decision in the 10th round.
Felix Verdejo vs. Terry Flanagan
The match against Terry Flanagan is the most awaited for Felix Verdejo, which is yet unsure. As we look back, the fight was first put into action through Bob Arum and Frank Warren.
Following it, many thought it to be held on September 9, 2017; however, they dealt for September 16, 2017, at the Copper Box Arena in London.
The holdup was created as Verdekjo was only offered $175,000, and hence they wanted $450,000 with the inclusion of travel expenses to Flanagan’s home country.
After the deal, middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders was also expected to participate on the same card.
However, all the preparations clashed when Warren mailed the Top Rank on July 17 to update Flanagan’s leg injury. Following it, medical reports and evidence were sent the next day, which postponed the fight.
World Title
Afterward, Felix Verdejo was kept busy with Gilberto Ramírez vs. Jesse Hart in Tucson, Arizona, where he was supposed to face Antonio Lozada Jr.
In the end, Verdejo was down with an injury and, thus, only appeared after 13 months at the Madison Square Garden Theater on March 17, 2018.
In addition, Verdejo finally faced Lozada, who delivered him the first professional loss of his career.
After his major defeat, Verdejo was out of the ring for eight months and only returned on November 10, 2018.
“I was at the top, and then I experienced what it was like to be trampled by the same people who put me up there.
I learned to be the best at what I do, and the goal now is that my name is on that list when it comes to boxing. We continue marching forward.”
-Felix Verdejo
Post Title Loss
He first faced Mexican journeyman Yardley Armenta Cruzat the Mario Quijote Morales Coliseum in Guaynabo with his comeback.
Hence, he bagged his victory and fought Bryan Vasquez at the Madison Square Garden next. Likewise, he took the win and later went to change his trainer after the critics’ opinion.
At this moment, he commenced his work alongside renowned boxing trainer Ismael Salas, who has before trained Guillermo Rigondeaux, Luis Ortiz, and Erislandy Lara.
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Fighting under his new trainer took him a few times to regain control; however, he managed to speed up his wins.
Many critics stated that he did not have any charm as he did in the 2012 Olympics games.
Felix Verdejo vs. Masayoshi Nakatani
Verdejo fought the Japanese fighter Masayoshi Nakatani on December 12, 2020, for the WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title.
Although Verdejo lost the fight, he became the first boxer to knock down Nakatani.
To illustrate, Verdejo was in his posture for the first rounds knocking Nakatami in the first round and again in the fourth round.
However, Nakatami was unhurt; following it, both portrayed good landing shots.
Altogether, Nakatamin knocked out Verdojo in the ninth round, which came as the TKO victory.
Felix Verdejo vs. Will Madera
The recent match after the COVID-19 outbreak was between Felix Verdejo and Will Madera on July 16, 2020, at MGM ‘Bubble’ in Las Vegas.
The fight started with a right uppercut from Verdejo, followed by another.
Subsequently, the game ended at 2 minutes, 59 seconds of the first round, as Verdejo took the victory.
“Stay ready because Felix Verdejo is back. I’m ready to fight against the best.”
-Felix Verdejo
Felix Verdejo | Highlights and Achievements
As we all know, Verdejo’s unique nickname, El Diamante (“The Diamond”), really does suit him up.
“The gym where I was training was ‘El Diamante. There was a guy from a boxing webpage here in Puerto Rico, and he was the first one to call me that.”
-Felix Verdejo
Apart from it, Verdejo has a glorious career with titles he has earned to date.
- Ecuador’s International Tournament (gold)
- Cheo Aponte International Tournament (gold)
- Americas Olympic Classificatory Tournament (gold)
- 2013 Premios Lo Nuestro (New Hispanic Promise)
- 2012 American Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament (Lightweight winner)
- Panamerican Youth Champion
Fight Record & Stats
Furthermore, his career stats are tabled below.
| Total fights | Wins (27) | Loss (2) | ||
| Knockout | Decision | Knockout | Decision | |
| 29 | 17 | 10 | 2 | 0 |
Felix Verdejo | Net Worth
As per the source, Felix Verdejo is estimated to have a net worth of $30 million. Indeed, the professional boxer has whopping millions and leads a luxurious life.
Felix Verdejo | Motorcycle Accident
On Felix Verdejo lost control over his bike on a San Juan highway and, therefore, crashed his dirt bike.
Thankfully, he was full of helmet protection; thus, he suffered cuts, bruises, and scratches to his forehead, face, arms, legs, and other parts of his body.
Due to his accident, he was admitted to the hospital and treated for head trauma and lacerations to the face, head, and whole left arm.
“Altogether, I have learned a big lesson. I’m not perfect. I’ll keep growing as a person, and today I’m more committed than ever (to) my people and my career.”
-Felix Verdejo
Felix Verdejo | Controversies
The 30 Years Old was charged with abducting and killing his pregnant lover on April 30, 2021.
According to the criminal complaint filed in federal court, a 27 old pregnant woman was found dead, and she was carrying the baby of Verdejo.
After that, the boxer faced several criminal charges that included kidnapping,g resulting in death, carjacking, and killing an unborn child.
Later, he was surrounded in front of the Police and even appeared in court.
Felix Verdejo | Private Life
Verdejo is a private man who loves to keep his life out of shade. Many of you may wonder about his personal life as he isn’t hung with any news scandals, rumors, or controversies.
However, Felix Verdejo is a married man and now shares a beautiful daughter named Miranda with his partner.
Although Verdejo hasn’t opened up about his wife, he never misses a chance to showcase his love for her and mention her in his uploads.
“I am doing the work to be victorious, and I will not allow my daughter’s plate of food to be taken away.
I will get a big win at 135 pounds to go after those world titles. That hunger and desire are there again. The birth of my daughter changed me again. I know what my priorities are.”
-Felix Verdejo
Therefore, you can go through his social media accounts to get more updates about the duo.
| Instagram handle | @diamanteverdejo |
| Twitter handle | @Diamante Verdejo |
Watch Felix’s interview on Youtube.
Felix Verdejo | FAQs
Who does Felix Verdejo idolise?
Felix Verdejo idolizes Felix Trinidad, whom he calls “The next ‘Tito’ Trinidad.”
What is Felix Verdejo’s typical training like?
Felix Verdejo’s regular training starts with road or track work in the mornings and gym work in the afternoons.
What does Felix Verdejo enjoy apart from boxing?
Felix Verdejo loves baseball and is a devoted Christian. Thus, he visits church multiple times.
Where does Verdejo live?
As of 2024, Verdejo resides in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. He owns a great house and is living a luxurious life.
