LAS VEGAS – Women’s featherweight prospect Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco says her mom, who is also her trainer, could have bought a house with the money they have spent on her career so far. 
Verduzco will fight Jessica Radtke Maltez in a six-round women’s featherweight bout on April 19 at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California. The card promoted by 360 Promotions will air on UFC Fight Pass.
Verduzco, 3-0 (1 KOs), signed with 360 Promotions last year, and is one of the most promising prospects in women’s boxing. That still doesn’t mean everything comes easy for her. She is a southpaw and rarely can find sparring in her weight class. So, her team, which consists of notable figures such as her mom, Gloria Alvarado and Alan Garcia, better known as “Kid Kansas,” hit the road to find the best sparring. Last week, they were in Las Vegas.
“I think my mom could have bought a house already with the amount of money we spent on traveling and paying sparring partners,” Verduzco said. “We spent thousands of dollars to come to Vegas. I think I spent like $6,000 each camp at least just for sparring, and all the stuff that I need, and I'm barely in my fourth fight.”
Verduzco had an impressive amateur career, amassing a record of 101-6 and winning 21 national titles. “I was working with world champions since I was 15-16 years old,” Verduzco said. “I tell myself, only I can beat myself."
The point of this fight is simple: experience. She was originally going to fight an unnamed fighter with a 9-1 record, but now is facing Maltez, 1-1-1, who is a 39-year-old from Waconia, Minnesota. For Verduzco, half of the battle is finding an opponent willing to fight her at the developmental level. Verduzco shared her mindset going into the bout. 
“To get my rounds,” Verduzco said. “Each fight, I'm working on something different. This one is sitting down on my punches and trying to get that knockout, not a TKO, but a knockout.”
There is a lot to like about Verduzco. A young puncher with a huge social media following who has made some wonder when the young fighter will fight for a title. She explains it will come in time. Verduzco isn't concerned with that.
“I'm coming to the titles, but I am taking my time,” Veduzco said.” I signed with Tom Loeffler, and he is moving me the right way, and I am going to take my time. Everyone wants to see me fight for a world title already. If I wanted to, I would, but I'm not going to do that. Expect me to get better and better with each fight. My style is changing. I'm getting stronger. I'm fast. I'm young.”