Boxer‑turned‑Baller: The Shocking Tale of Félix Verdejo
What’s the headline?
The former Puerto Rican Olympian is now facing death‑penalty charges after allegedly killing a pregnant woman he met in a desperate plea for help.
Inside the Crime
In the dim‑lit hours of a Thursday night, Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz stepped up to convince the 27‑year‑old boxer that his social media “like” could end her pregnancy. What followed was a brutal scene straight out of a dark drama.
- Verdejo allegedly punched Rodríguez in the face and injected her with an unknown substance.
- After that, she was thrown over San Juan’s iconic Teodoro Moscoso Bridge.
- The body later landed in the San José Lagoon, a drama too tragic for a boxing ring or a single fight record.
Charges and the Legal Twist
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Puerto Rico has slapped the boxer with kidnapping, carjacking, and the extra‑hamstrung charge of killing an unborn child—charges that could bring the death penalty if convicted.
Sources say Verdejo was seized in Puerto Rico on Sunday, the same day protests erupted along the bridge scene. The police had already issued an arrest warrant after Rodríguez went missing and witnesses were interviewed.
Community Reaction
On Sunday, a crowd gathered near the bridge, clutching signs demanding justice for Rodríguez and talking frankly about the spike in gender violence in U.S. territories.
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi, three months after declaring a state of emergency, stated:
“We must keep the pain, anger, and indignation alive whenever we witness gender violence. Resting in our duty to protect, prevent, and abolish this evil is unacceptable.”
Before It All: The Boxing Connection
For a brief moment, Verdejo was a hope for Puerto Rico—he fought in the lightweight division during the 2012 London Olympics, boasting a 27‑win, 2‑loss record. The boxer’s fine gloves hung up now as the grim headlines have replaced any victory.
Takeaway
What started as a punching‑line in a boxing headline has morphed into a tragic tale of violence that shakes the island’s conscience. In the end, it’s a stark reminder: the story of a boxer’s career, no matter how bright, can sometimes collide with the darkest chapters of life.
