At The Bubble, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV, Thursday, in a Top Rank Boxing – Bob Arum, promotion with a new main event having Lightweight Felix “El Diamante” Verdejo, of San Juan, PR, who stopped previously unbeaten Will Madera, of Albany, NY, in the first round over ESPN. The Miguel Marriaga and John Mark Yap main event cancelled when Yap came in 8 pounds overweight.

In the Main Event 2012 Olympian and IBF No. 9 ranked Felix “El Diamantre” Verdejo, 27-1 (17), #135 ľ, of San Juan, PR, stopped Will Madera, 15-1-3 (8), #135 ľ, of Albany, NY, at 2:59 of the first of a scheduled 10 rounds.

In the first round Verdejo used a solid jab with left hooks through half a round then unloaded on Madera hurting him with a right uppercut to the chin then dropping him with a left hook on the chin. Referee Robert Hoyle started the count with Madera on his back before waving it off.

“I took my time wanting to measure how hard he hit then let it go and the knockout came. Stay ready for Felix Verdejo is back. The top at 135 is Lomachenko (who he lost to in the Olympics) and that is who I want,” said Verdejo.

In the co-feature southpaw Featherweight Martino “Titan” Jules, 10-0 (2), #127 1/2, of Allentown, PA, won a majority decision over Aleem Jumakhonov, 8-3-2 (4), #125 Ľ, of TAJ, and Reseda, CA, over 8 rounds.

In the first round Jules boxed well handling Jumakhonov who stood right in front of him eating the jab. In the second round it was more of the same with Jules getting the better of the mix. Jumakhonov even stepped on Jules foot to keep him still. In the third round Jules in spite of a bloody nose continued to outland Jumakhonov.

In the fourth round almost immediately referee Russell Mora warned Jumakhonov about stepping on the foot of Jules. Jules again took the fifth round though Jumakhonov got in some good rights. Jules continued being the much busier of the two. In the sixth and seventh rounds Jules continued to get the better of the two with more punches landed.

In the eighth and final round Jules finally started moving more using angles following his trainer Louie Melendez’s instructions from the corner. Jules seemed to win easily but then came the first typical Vegas judge’s score.

Scores were Adalaide Byrd 76-76 as usual a questionable decision, Julie Lederman and Max DeLuca 78-74 with this writer 79-73.

Heavyweight Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson, 5-0 (5), #241 ľ, of Toledo, OH, stopped Hector Perez, 7-3 (3), #220 ľ, of PR and Tamarac, FL, at 1:45 of the first of a schedule 4 rounds.

In the first round Anderson came out southpaw for a minute or so scoring well. He then switched to orthodox and while Ruiz was ducking a chopping right on the head from Anderson landed and down went Ruiz until the count from referee Russell Mora reached 9 and waved it off. It was the fifth first round stoppage in his five fights for Anderson who fought just six weeks ago at the Bubble.

Answering question about his future Anderson said “anybody who is good, Olympian, former world challengers is who I want. Get ready!”

Lightweight Kenny Davis, Jr., 3-2-1 (0), #134 1/2, of Reno, NV, seemed fortunate to get a majority decision over Eduardo Sanchez, 2-3 (0), #134 1/2, of MEX and Corcoran, CA, over 4 hard fought rounds.

In the first round both fighters mixed it up well with Davis getting an edge with a good jab. In the second round Sanchez came out firing to head and body of Davis for the entire round. In the third round Sanchez knocked out the mouthpiece of Davis halfway through the round. Near the end of the round Davis dropped Sanchez with a left hook to the liver, but hit him again with a right on the chin while he was on a knee and should have been DQ’d. Referee Robert Hoyle never gave a warning until watching the replay. In the fourth and final round referee Hoyle deducted a point against Davis for losing his mouthpiece a second time. Good comeback round for Sanchez.

Scores were Natalie Tyrell 37-37, Lisa Giampa and Max DeLuca 38-36 with this writer 37-37.