Whatever Happened To Johnny Verderosa?

[MightyWarrior]

The exciting Jr Lightweight out of New York in the mid 80's, nicknamed "The Heat".
Had a sort of Aaron Pryor style and ran up a very good record to get to No #2 contender in both WBA & WBC - big TV figures too.

Then for some strange reason he risks his almost certain title shot by taking on the ultimate warrior, Cornelius Boza Edwards.
Boza blasts him out in an upset, and Johnny sinks from view, retiring a couple of years later.
He got one good win over Sean O'Grady but lost a few then packed it in.
Think I heard he was working in construction...

Anyone else remember him? And know what he's up to these days?

[bennie]

The exciting Jr Lightweight out of New York in the mid 80's, nicknamed "The Heat".
Had a sort of Aaron Pryor style and ran up a very good record to get to No #2 contender in both WBA & WBC - big TV figures too.

Then for some strange reason he risks his almost certain title shot by taking on the ultimate warrior, Cornelius Boza Edwards.
Boza blasts him out in an upset, and Johnny sinks from view, retiring a couple of years later.
He got one good win over Sean O'Grady but lost a few then packed it in.
Think I heard he was working in construction...

Anyone else remember him? And know what he's up to these days?

Yes, he was a cocky, brash, high-energy Italian-American in the mould of Vinnie Paz, and, as you say, Mighty Warrior, was exciting and had a huge Staten Island following in New York. To be honest, his style was never condusive to a long career and he hadn't really fought anyone when he ran into Boza. He had struggled in a couple of fights leading up to their showdown. And Boza, brought to Atlantic City as a sacrificial lamb, took him to school. Even by April 1982 Boza had been in a lot of wars, but he was far from finished. His southpaw hooks and uppercuts tore Verderosa apart.
Ironically, Johnny came back to score his best win when he stopped Sean O'Grady a couple of fights later, but he was boxing at light-welter by this time (which does suggest he may have been weight-drained against Boza) and was too small height-wise to compete at the weight. His last fight came against the lanky and useful Kel Robin in 1984, who kayoed him in nine rounds. Verderosa was only 26. He never fought again.

[MightyWarrior]

Yeah you're right bennie, he was like an early version of Vinny Paz.
Red hot for awhile it must've been hard to suddenly find himself having to get a new career at 26.
Jr Light was a very tough division in the 80's though.

[Clint Magnum]

He unfortunately got dragged into cocaine, much like the family he fought to stay away from. He lived with Teddy Atlas for a while but slipped back into drugs which ended his career. Believe he's now clean, married and working in construction.

[Bricks]

yeah i was just wondering what happened to johhny boy.
my maternal grandfather is Italian. Man i wish Joe Mesi hadnt got braindamaged.

[slakka]

He joined the Army in order to overcome his addiction, then punched out an officer ala Graziano.

[Nile4000]

Him and Camacho would make a very interesting fight.

[mamanas]

wow!! I'm glad to know he is still alive. I dated him while he was stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He was still struggling with drugs and I suspect he would eventually get caught. I always was upset that I let a good one get away, but if has been mentioned is true......I guess it was a blessing that it didn't work out. Really nice guy with some demouns, but nice.

[bollox]

you are female? arent you?

[mamanas]

Yes, the last time I checked I was a female. Johnny did not go that way.

[snoopbee]

JOHNNY COULD HAVE BEEN SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHAMPION OF THE WORLD ,WE WANTED SERRANO BUT COULD NEVER GET THE SHOT ,WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET IT AFTER KNOCKING OUT UNDEFEATED ROBERT MULLINS AND NABF CHAMP NICKY PEREZ ,WHEN JOHNNY DID NOI GET THE TITLE SHOT HE HAD BEEN PROMISED ----HE TOOK TO THE STREETS AND WAS NEVER THE SAME FIGHTER ,AFTER HE RETIRED AND WENT INTO THE ARMY THE SARGENT PICKED A FIGHT WITH HIM , THE ONE PUNCH JOHNNY THREW KNOCKED THE SARGENT COLD , HE NEVER WOKE UP-JOHNNY WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY ON SELF DEFENSE HE THEN WENT BACK TO THE STREETS WHERE HE CONTINUED HIS HABIT -------THE LAST TIME I SAW JOHNNY HAD TO BE AROUND 1998 HE LOOKED TO HAVE GOTTEN HIS LIFE TOGETHER (THANK GOD) AFTER THAT I CAUGHT THE NYSAC CHEATING ON THE SCALES AT THE GATTI-GAMACHE WEIGH IN AND THEY PUT ME OUT OF BUISNESS IT PUT AN END TO MY MATCHMAKING DAYS ON THE EAST COAST AND I NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO CHECK UP ON ANY OF MY OLD FIGHTERS AGAIN ,I HOPE FOR JOHNNYS SAKE HE IS DOING ALLRIGHT ,JOHNNY WAS A SPECIAL PERSON WITH A HEART AS BIG AS A BASKETBALL -------------------------JOHNNY BOS

[KidShark]

I sat with "The Heat" last night for the Ring 10 meeting at Rinos Rest. East Tremont Ave in the Bronx. He was in fine shape and very talkative. Saoul Mamby was there along with Iran 'the blade' Barkley. If you want to see an organization in action then come by the second Tuesday Night each month. President Matt Farrago welcomes all.

[montrealsuper]

Nice updates on The Heat - thank you -

[TooBad]

It’s a real shame. He has been walking in the middle of the street at the corner of Route 440 and Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City, New Jersey during the evening rush hour, shaking a cup and apparently homeless. He needs help. Badly.

[Esquire]

He was exciting that's for sure. Unfortunately for him he had to expend a great deal of effort just to make his style work. Tons of dipping and juking in order to get inside and do his thing.

He was very short for the weight and unfortunately for him his style could only take him so far. He got beat by the good fighters he faced.