Lightweight prospect Felix Verdejo (R) punches Sergio Villanueva on his way to a third-round knockout victory on Oct. 4, 2014. Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images.

According to a press release by his handlers, top lightweight contender Felix Verdejo has canceled his Oct. 31 bout in Florida due to a recurring pain in his left hand, for which he recently had surgery.

Verdejo (18-0, 13 knockouts) was slated to see action at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, tentatively against Brazil’s Josenilson Dos Santos, but had to pull out on the same day on which he was to host an open workout for the press.

“I am very sad about all this. I wanted to give back to the fans in Kissimmee all the love they have shown me with a nice fight, but they deserve the best of me, and in order to give my best up in the ring I have to be 100 percent,” said Verdejo through a written statement.

Ricky M├írquez, trainer and handler of Verdejo, said that “we have taken this difficult decision after a deep analysis, putting Felix’s health above all. Other opportunities will come in the future for him.”

According to the press release, Verdejo will continue with his successful rehabilitation process after his surgical procedure to repair the damage suffered in his last bout, in which he defeated the previously unbeaten Mexican contender Ivan Najera in June.