The Ring posted a detailed schedule of Top Rank shows from mid-August to early October. Alongside previously revealed dates like Jamel Herring vs Jonathan Oquendo (September 5th) and new ones like Josh Taylor vs Apinun Khongsong on September 26th, Dan Rafael buried something interesting at the bottom: should Vasiliy Lomachenko’s planned October 3rd matchup with Teofimo Lopez collapse as expected, “multiple sources” report that Felix Verdejo could take the latter’s place.
Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KO) and Verdejo (27-1, 17 KO) met in the 2012 London Games, where “Hi-Tech” took a 14-9 decision in the quarterfinals. Their pro careers have gone in, shall we say, very different directions. Where Lomachenko rocketed to the top of the pound-for-pound lists en route to capturing multiple world titles at record speed, Verdejo went from Prospect of the Year to ongoing disappointment. Lengthy layoffs, poor performances, a motorcycle accident, and other setbacks came to a head in 2018 when Antonio Lozada put him away in the final round.
“Diamante”, now working with Ismael Salas, is 4-0 over subpar opposition since that defeat. He made the most of a surprise main event slot in July by smashing up Will Madera for his most notable victory in years.
