Top Rank promoter Bob Arum gave some good news in regards to the health status of WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez and lightweight contender Felix Verdejo.
Arum recently spoke to Boxingscene.com and said that Ramirez is recovering well from a hand injury he suffered back in July and that he could be back at the start of 2017, probably in January. Ramirez last fought in April when he defeated Arthur Abraham to win the WBO world title.
"Gilberto had a hand problem and went to Dr. Shin who is a big hand specialist," Arum said. "The hand has came along very well and it is possible he could have fought in December but just to be sure he has enough time to spar we are going to bring him back in a title fight probably at the end of January."
The undefeated Verdejo is said to be training again after suffering a motorcycle accident back in August. He suffered several lacerations to his face and left arm and was ruled out of competition for the remainder of 2016. Arum said that Verdejo's motorcycle-riding days over.
"Verdejo is back in training," Arum said. "It was a serious injury falling off that dirt bike. He promises that he won't get on bikes again. At least not the ones with motors in them. Hopefully he will be as good as ever if not better because he is a tremendous prospect."
Verdejo was in line to challenge WBO lightweight champion Terry Flanagan before the accident. Flanagan will instead fight another Puerto Rican, Orlando Cruz, on November 26. Verdejo is expected to also be back by early 2017.
