Felix Verdejo well on the way to boxing stardom

Vasyl Lomachenko won 396 of the 397 amateur bouts he fought, as well as gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He's hailed by many as among the greatest amateur boxers ever.

Not long ago, Lomachenko, now the WBO featherweight champion, was speaking to his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, about his amateur career. When the topic turned to his toughest opponent, Lomachenko never hesitated: It was Puerto Rico's Felix Verdejo.

Lomachenko defeated Verdejo in the quarterfinals of the lightweight division in the London Olympics in 2012, and raved about his overall skills.

Now, both are signed to Top Rank. Verdejo headlines a card Friday that will be broadcast on Tru TV from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when he meets Josenilson dos Santos in the main event.

If you're betting on someone who may become the next big pay-per-view, you could make far worse choices than going with Verdejo.

"We think he's the whole package," Arum said. "He can punch, he can box, he's a charismatic kid. He's a guy you just don't want to miss."

Verdejo, who is 18-0 with 13 knockouts, injured his hand in a win over Ivan Najera in June, and hasn't fought since. But he said he has no pain and is eager to get back.

"I feel great," Verdejo said. "I like to feel 100 percent when I get into the ring, so I waited until my hand was completely healed for this fight."

Verdejo figures to become a regular on HBO in 2016. He's got the kind of talent and charisma that make him a natural for the network.

He shares the card Friday with Nonito Donaire, the former world champion who is attempting to rebuild himself after a crushing loss to Nicholas Walters. Donaire will face Cesar Juarez for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title.

IIt wasn't long ago that Donaire held a featherweight title and spoke confidently of moving up in weight and winning titles all the way up to 140. He was thoroughly outboxed by Guillermo Rigondeaux in a 2013 match at Radio City Music Hall, then was blown out by Walters on Oct. 18, 2014, when he was stopped in the sixth round.

That made him reassess his commitment to the sport.

"When I was down on the canvas in the Walters fight I thought to myself, 'This is a blessing,' " Donaire said. "It was a blessing because I had lost my way, not giving boxing the respect it deserves. I was searching for something. I was unsatisfied. I went home and rededicated myself to the sport. I worked harder in the gym.  I got out of bed early in the mornings and did my running.  I went to a Tony Robbins seminar for motivation and then read the book, 'The Power of Habits.' "

He said he feels like he's 21 again and eager to put on a show.

The attraction, here, though, is Verdejo, who figures to be the next big star from Puerto Rico. Arum can't wait to show him off. He's one of the many stars from the 2012 Olympics that Top Rank signed and might be the one who generates the most money before it's all over.

Lomachenko is unquestionably the most talented, but even Arum concedes he may not cross over and become a star. Verdejo, though, has that special something that is required of all stars.

"He's one of those guys, you see him and you tend to like him, and you want to root for him," Arum said. "And he's such a fun and entertaining fighter, you love watching him fight."