In what will be her fourth bout in 2025, Iyana ‘Right Hook Roxy’ Verduzco (5-0, 1 KO) of San Fernando, CA is set to face Perla Lomeli (7-5, 1 KO) on a 360 Promotions Card streaming live Friday night on UFC Fight Pass. Though Verduzco has alternated between super bantamweight and featherweight, this matchup will take place at 122 pounds—marking another step on her path toward a world title shot.
Who Is ‘Right Hook Roxy’?
Fresh off her 24th birthday, Verduzco has been generating buzz throughout Southern California. Inspired by her friend and boxing star Ryan Garcia, Verduzco tapped into the power of social media to grow her following—now topping 100,000. Not bad for someone just two years into her pro career. In an era where digital presence plays a major role in a fighter’s profile, Verduzco is already ahead of the curve.
Behind the growing following is how she sees herself: “humble and sweet,” with an outgoing streak. It’s a side most fans rarely see, shaped by a long amateur career that began when she was just five years old. Verduzco is intent on showing that she’s more than a curated “boxing persona”—she’s earned every step of her rise through years of hard work and dedication.
That hard work didn’t go unnoticed. About a year ago, Tom Loeffler‘s 360 Promotions signed Verduzco to a promotional contract. For Verduzco, the decision was an easy one—Loeffler’s track record as a seasoned promoter spoke for itself.
“First and foremost, Tom (Loeffler), he’s very respectable,” said Verduzco of her promoter. “He’s had the Klitschko brothers, GGG, and Cecilia Braekhus, so he’s been around for a while. When I was younger, I used to see him around, and he would always promote all the big fights. He’s very respectful and not blackballed with different promotions. He can move around and move his fighters around. He keeps his fighters active and fighting on UFC Fight Pass, which brings in MMA fans who go hard for the people they support. Tom is pushing me the right way, and with time, things will get better and better.”
Navigating Through The Mother-Daughter Relationship In Boxing
Boxing often highlights the father-son dynamic, with dads in the corner guiding their sons through the ranks. In Verduzco’s case, it’s her mother, Gloria Alvarado, who holds the mitts. A veteran trainer, Alvarado recently helped steer two-division world champion Yokasta Valle into the U.S. spotlight, culminating in Valle’s high-profile clash with Seniesa Estrada. She’s been in Verduzco’s corner since day one. And like any parent-child partnership, theirs has seen its share of tension. Verduzco doesn’t shy away from those moments, acknowledging that they’ve grown stronger by working through them together.
“Women are cattier, so you can only imagine,” Verduzco told FightsATW. “We’ve had disagreements and fights just like every mother/daughter, father/son, but we’ve learned to separate them. There have been times when I say to her, ‘I need my mom right now’ or ‘I need my coach right now’. We’ve learned to grow in that area through the years.
“She’s been my trainer since I was a kid. She’s been training fighters for 30-plus years, so this isn’t her first rodeo. She also has my brother, ‘Kid Kansas’ Alan Garcia, who is signed with Top Rank and knows her stuff. She is a momma bear and wants the best for me. You see these fighters who sign with these managers who try to screw them, and since they are desperate to fight, they sign with them. That is a really big issue in the sport of boxing.”
Friday Night’s Fight & 2026
Verduzco will have her hands full Friday night as she squares off against Lomeli at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, CA. When asked what fans should expect, her response was classic Verduzco—no surprise for those who’ve followed her journey thus far.
“They should watch out for that right hook,” said Verduzco. “You’ll see a lot of boxing. I’m a boxer/puncher, so I like to be pretty with it. We women fight with our hearts, but I want to bring that skill set to show that women do have a skill set. The years of experience weren’t for nothing, and they have paid off. I’m dropping down in weight to 122 pounds (super bantamweight). I was 126 pounds (featherweight), so dropping down is going to make me a lot stronger.”
As for next year, Verduzco says not so fast. She plans to fight twice more before 2025 wraps, bringing her total to six bouts on the year. Still, her sights are set on 2026, with one goal standing out: a shot at a world title.
“Next year, I might slow down a bit because I’m going to go for that title. That is my goal next year: to fight for some sort of title. I have my eye on Ellie Scotney; she’s at 122. Tiara Brown has a belt at 126. They are both fighting at the end of this year, so let’s make something happen in the summer.”
Friday night offers Verduzco a chance to win over new fans—and if she keeps her momentum, a title fight next summer isn’t out of reach. Whether she has what it takes to become a world champion remains to be seen. The journey continues live Friday night on UFC Fight Pass.
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