By Jake Donovan

His hands once again feeling 100% healthy, Felix Verdejo hopes to remain as active as possible in 2016. As any promoter should do, Top Rank will make its greatest efforts to meet the demands of one of its young rising stars.

“In a perfect world, I would love to fight four or five times this year,” Verdejo (19-0, 14KOs) told BoxingScene.com in promoting his February 27th showdown versus unbeaten Brazilian lightweight William Silva at Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City. “Really, it’s up to my team, up to Top Rank for what plans they have in store for me, but now that I’m healthy I want to fight as often as I can before challenging for a world title.”

The challenge has apparently been accepted. Top Rank is already mapping out an aggressive 1st half schedule that – should it hold up – will further establish the humble 22-year old boxer as Puerto Rico’s next boxing superstar, with his native island and New York City hosting a combined three fights from now through mid-June.

Verdejo is identified by Top Rank founder and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum as among the young rising stars his company looks to establish as championship-level talent in 2016. Having represented Puerto Rico in the 2012 London Olympics, he is one of three boxers whom Top Rank signed at roughly the same time, a list that includes Oscar Valdez (Mexico) and Jose Ramirez (United States).

Valdez and Ramirez will both return on April 9, appearing on the undercard of the third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“The only reason Verdejo isn’t on that card is because we have separate – perhaps bigger – plans for him,” Arum informed BoxingScene.com. “First up, he returns to Madison Square Garden (Theatre) in February. From there, we plan to bring him back to Puerto Rico in April – that’s why he’s not on the Pacquiao-Bradley card.

“Assuming all goes well – he keeps winning, his hands stay healthy, etc. – we will bring him back to Madison Square Garden in June, where he will once again headline on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade like he did last year.”

The June date would mark the third year in a row that Verdejo will fight on Madison Square Garden property on the Boricua-themed weekend.

“I really enjoyed fighting here last June and participating in the Puerto Rican Day parade again,” Verdejo recalled of the festivities, including his riding as the star attraction on the Top Rank float. “I hope I can fight again (on the same weekend) at Madison Square Garden this year.”

His first appearance came in June ’14, coming off TV on the undercard of Miguel Cotto’s historic middleweight championship winning effort over Sergio Martinez in the main room at MSG.

One year later, the rising prospect became a contender following a dominant 10-round win over Ivan Najera in MSG Theatre. The event marked his HBO debut, scoring two knockdowns en route to a dominant victory in his co-feature slot. Despite not headlining the show, Verdejo was clearly the star attraction as most of the crowd began to file out before and during Nicholas Walters’ 12-round victory over Miguel Marriaga in the evening’s main event.

The night established Verdejo’s star power, but also nearly ruined his career. The proud boxer went into the bout with a badly damaged left hand, but hid the injury than withdraw and run the risk of disappointing his dedicated fan base.

It came at a price however, as the injury resurfaced just one week prior to a planned Halloween headliner in Kissimmee, Florida. Not taking any chances, his team made the command decision to pull him from the show, although he remained in town throughout fight week and was present for a meet and greet on fight night prior to the show’s opening bell.

The additional rest served his hand well, as he resurfaced in mid-December at home in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A 2nd round blitzing of Brazil’s Josenilson dos Santos was perhaps expected, but the confidence builder that was sought was not in the opposition choice but whether or not his hands could hold up in real time.

An emphatic “yes” came back in return and now the young boxer is ready to make up for lost time, with what will be four fights in the span of six months according to the present blueprint.

First up is his challenge versus Silva (23-0, 14KOs), who at 6’1” is freakishly tall for a lightweight. Perhaps more challenging than the physical and style matchup is getting Boricuas to come out and support him during usually cold weather in New York City.

“My fans support me wherever I go,” Verdejo comments through mild laughter. “I know it’s cold (in New York during the winter) but I’m confident that my fans will come out in full force once again.

“This is going to be a very big year for me. I took the injury in stride. Now it’s behind me and we can focus on building towards fighting for a world title.”

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox