Top Rank Action: Miguel Marriaga Set To Return Against Mark John Yap

By FIGHTSPORTS Jul 9, 2020

World title aspirations will be on the line during the latest Top Rank event in Las Vegas. The promotion announced that Miguel Marriaga will face Mark John Yap on July 16 from inside the MGM Grand Conference Center.

The co-feature will have Felix Verdejo taking on Will Madera. The action will begin at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

“Miguel stayed in shape throughout the pandemic and was willing to fight anyone we put in front of him,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Felix is so close to realizing his potential, and with a great trainer like Ismael Salas in his corner, anything is possible. This is going to be an action-packed card, and both Miguel and Felix will be tested.”

Including the main and co-feature, here is the full card/list of fighters for the July 16 Top Rank card.

July 16

Main Event – Miguel Marriaga v. Mark John Yap

This will be Marriaga’s (29-3) first bout since December. He was supposed to Shakur Stevenson for the WBO Featherweight Title back on March 14 inside Madison Square Garden, but the bout was one of the first major events in the United States postponed as a result of the coronavirus.

A former WBO-NABO Featherweight Champion, Marriaga has fought for world titles three times. He has lost to Nicholas Walters (WBA Featherweight Title), Oscar Valdez (WBO Featherweight Title), and Vasiliy Lomachenko (WBO Junior-Lightweight Title). Marriaga is currently on a four-fight win streak, beating Alfredo Mejia Vargas via knockout in December.

“I stayed in shape during the pandemic, and I am thankful to my team for this wonderful opportunity,” Marriaga stated. “I want to be a world champion, and a win over Yap will move me one step closer to my ultimate goal. Yap is much better than his record indicates. Neither of us will take a backward step.”

Yap (30-15) is 1-3 in his last four fights. An OPBF Bantamweight Champion, the 31-year-old last fought in November, losing to Angel Alejandro via unanimous decision.

Co-Feature- Felix Verdejo v. Will Madera

Verdejo (26-1) is a lightweight looking for his own title opportunity. A former WBO Latino Lightweight Champion, Verdejo defended it six times. After losing to Antonio Lozada Jr. back in 2018, Verdejo rebounded with three wins in a row. His last fight was in January, beating Manuel Rey Rojas via unanimous decision.

“July 16 marks my return to the ring against Will Madera in what will be my second fight with my new team,” Verdejo said. “This is a great opportunity to demonstrate the progress resulting from my work. I have renewed motivation to realize my dream of becoming a world champion. That is the goal.”

Madera (15-0-3) made his professional debut in 2013. The 29-year-old is 2-0-1 in his last three bouts, the draw coming against Christian Uruzquieta for the WBC International Silver Lightweight Title. He last fought in January, beating Edgar Ramirez via TKO.

Alexis del Bosque (17-5)
Martino Jules (9-0) v. Aleem Jumakhonov (8-2-2)
Raphael Igbokwe (14-2) v. Genc Pllana (8-1-1)
Hector Madera (6-0 v. Adrian Valdovinos (5-0-1)