By Jake Donovan

Felix Verdejo is being touted as the next big star from Puerto Rico. Top Rank is putting that theory to the test, as he plays Madison Square Garden Theatre on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day parade.

Standing opposite corner is Texas' Ivan Najera in a battle of unbeaten lightweight(-ish) prospects. Their 10-round bout airs live on HBO, marking the network debut for both fighters. 

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the action will go down. 

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS:

FELIX VERDEJO vs. IVAN NAJERA

Ryan Burton (Verdejo TKO3):

The next Boricua star feels out his defensively challenged opponent in the first then goes to work and starches him in 3. 

Michael Gibbons (Verdejo TKO4):

The unbeaten lightweight serves notice tonight. 

Takahiro Onaga (Verdejo TKO8):

First big test for Puerto Rican sees him being forced to answer questions but coming out on top late.

Cliff Rold (Verdejo KO):

This is a coming out party.

Victor Salazar (Verdejo TKO):

It will be a step up in class for the new heir to the Puerto Rican throne in his HBO debut. It should be fun while it last with Verdejo getting a mid-round stoppage.

Alexey Sukachev (Verdejo TKO7):

The Boricua fighter is simply more talented and has more pop in his gloves to stop Najera. The latter's split decision over Stan Martyniuk signalizes me that he is not yet ready to the big stage.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox