Brian Vera

Last updated
Brian Vera
Born
Bryan Lee Vera

(1981-12-28) December 28, 1981 (age 43)
Statistics
Weight(s) Light middleweight
Middleweight
Super middleweight
Light heavyweight
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Reach74 in (189 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights45
Wins28
Wins by KO18
Losses17

Bryan Lee Vera (born December 28, 1981) is an American professional boxer currently competing as a super middleweight. He is best known for his memorable and notable victories over then-undefeated Andy Lee in 2008, former world champion Sergio Mora (twice, in 2011 and 2012) and Serhiy Dzinziruk in 2013. Vera currently trains in Cedar Park, Texas. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Vera attended Westwood High School and lettered in football, a sport he had played since a child in Pop Warner. His brother, Gilbert "Boogie" Vera, is a professional boxer, [2] [3] and his father was a two-time IBA champion in the heavyweight division. [4]

Amateur career

Vera's amateur career saw him clash with (among others), Jonathon Banks (in a losing effort), and then saw him returning in December 2005 (after beginning his professional career in 2004), when he returned for one last amateur fight against Ivan Stovell (in a losing effort).

Professional career

Vera began his professional career in 2004 with a four-round unanimous decision win over Avien Cooper. He would win his next thirteen bouts, including a decision victory over Darnell Boone (who would later knockout the future lineal light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson), before signing up with the ESPN television series The Contender.

The Contender

He is one of the featured boxers on the third season of the boxing reality TV series, The Contender, which premiered September 4, 2007, on ESPN. [5] Vera suffered his first professional loss in the opening fight of the contest to the shows runner-up Jaidon Codrington. [6]

Vera vs. Lee

In 2008, Vera fought then-undefeated and highly touted prospect Andy Lee. In a fight that he was supposed to lose according to most critics, Brian Vera pulled up the upset win and would defeat Lee by TKO in the seventh round. Although the stoppage was regarded as controversial, Vera was behind on points up until that point, though Lee himself appeared to be battered and exhausted from Vera's relentless assault in the 7th.

Vera vs. Kirkland

Vera's career would hit a standstill soon after when he was matched against light-middleweight contender James Kirkland. Kirkland was vicious in his assault against Vera, battering his outmatched opponent all over the ring for the duration of the fight. Vera was knocked down twice in preceding rounds before the faithful eight round, in which a devastating combination from Kirkland put Vera down for a third time. Vera managed to rise up, but was immediately cornered and beaten on until referee Vic Drakulich called a halt to the match, with Vera losing by an eighth-round technical knockout. In the match, Kirkland had managed to land 283 out of 532 thrown punches, whereas Vera only landed 64 out of 470.

Vera only fought once in 2009, losing a definitive decision to Craig McEwan. McEwan was landing combinations nearly at will from the start of the fight, and Vera had no answer for his opponent's boxing ability. In 2010 Vera would go 1-2, first losing a unanimous decision against Isaac Rodrigues before scoring a third-round technical knockout over Sebastien Demers, and finally dropping a twelve-round unanimous decision to middleweight contender Max Bursak.

On February 4, 2011, Vera would defeat fellow Contender competitor Sergio Mora. Vera would win a close but definitive split decision over Mora, and followed up his success with an eighth-round knockout over Eloy Suarez.

Vera vs. Lee II

Later that year Vera would rematch his old foe Andy Lee, this time losing by a wide margin. Lee used his height and reach to excellent effect, keeping the bullish Vera off of him all night, and even scoring a knockdown in the second. Lee displayed excellent boxing tactics and skills by controlling the distance of the fight and continuously blasting Vera with power punches from all angles.

Vera vs. Chávez Jr. I-II

Vera would score four more wins following his defeat to Andy Lee, including a wide unanimous decision against former foe Sergio Mora, as well as a technical knockout victory over Serhiy Dzinziruk before being matched against former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez, Jr. Vera surprised many when he dominated the bout, easily outboxing and out-landing his much larger and sluggish foe. When it was announced after the fight that Chavez had won a unanimous decision, the decision was roundly booed. It was later revealed that not one press row scorer had scored the bout for Chávez Jr., all scoring it definitively for Vera.

Chávez Jr. and Vera would rematch six months later over a twelve-round bout. This time Chavez would use his size and strength more effectively, outboxing and outscoring Vera with relative ease. Vera would lose a far clearer unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

45 fights28 wins17 losses
By knockout185
By decision1012
Key to abbreviations used for results
DQDisqualificationRTDCorner retirement
KOKnockoutSDSplit decision / split draw
MDMajority decision / majority drawTDTechnical decision / technical draw
NCNo contestTKOTechnical knockout
PTSPoints decisionUDUnanimous decision / unanimous draw
Boxing record
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound(s)TimeDateLocationNotes
45Loss28–17 Flag of the United States.svg Kendrick Ball JrUD8N/a17 Apr 2021 Flag of the United States.svg New England Sports Center, Derry, New Hampshire, U.S.For vacant WBC USA Silver super middleweight title
44Win28–16 Flag of the United States.svg Francisco Ariri NetoTKO1 (4)1:2414 Nov 2020 Flag of the United States.svg New England Sports Center, Derry, New Hampshire, U.S.
43Win27–16 Flag of the United States.svg Mike AndersonKO1 (4)1:0129 Aug 2020 Flag of the United States.svg New England Sports Center, Derry, New Hampshire, U.S.
42Loss26–16 Flag of Egypt.svg Ahmed Elbiali TKO6 (10)1:1528 Dec 2019 Flag of the United States.svg State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
41Loss26–15 Flag of the United States.svg Marcus McDanielUD6N/a9 Feb 2019 Flag of the United States.svg New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
40Loss26–14 Flag of Ghana.svg Sena AgbekoUD8N/a8 Dec 2018 Flag of the United States.svg Mid-TN Expo, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S.
39Loss26–13 Flag of the United States.svg Jas PhippsUD6N/a8 Dec 2017 Flag of the United States.svg Round Rock Sports Center, Round Rock, Texas, U.S.
38Loss26–12 Flag of the United States.svg Mike GavronskiTKO6 (10)2:219 Sep 2017 Flag of the United States.svg Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
37Win26–11 Flag of Colombia.svg Milton Nuñez RTD5 (8)3:0024 Jun 2017 Flag of the United States.svg San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
36Win25–11 Flag of the United States.svg Larry SmithTKO2 (6)2:1011 Jan 2017 Flag of the United States.svg Alzafar Shrine, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
35Win24–11 Flag of Mexico.svg Juan Carlos RojasMD6N/a15 Oct 2016 Flag of the United States.svg Zaragoza Park, Austin, Texas, U.S.
34Loss23–11 Flag of Russia.svg Matvey Korobov UD8N/a26 Jun 2016 Flag of the United States.svg The Bomb Factory, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
33Loss23–10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rocky Fielding TKO2 (12)1:3926 Jun 2015 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Echo Arena, Liverpool, Merseyside, UKFor WBC International Silver super middleweight title
32Loss23–9 Flag of the United States.svg Willie Monroe Jr. UD10N/a16 Jan 2015 Flag of the United States.svg Turning Stone Resort & Casino, New York, U.S.For NABA & NABO middleweight titles
31Loss23–8 Flag of Mexico.svg Julio César Chávez Jr. UD12N/a 1 Mar 2014 Flag of the United States.svg Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
30Loss23–7 Flag of Mexico.svg Julio César Chávez Jr. UD10N/a28 Sep 2013 Flag of the United States.svg StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.
29Win23–6 Flag of Lithuania.svg Donatas BondorovasRTD7 (10)3:0029 Mar 2013 Flag of the United States.svg Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.Retained NABO middleweight title
28Win22–6 Flag of Ukraine.svg Serhiy Dzinziruk TKO10 (12)1:5025 Jan 2013 Flag of the United States.svg Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.Retained NABO middleweight title
27Win21–6 Flag of the United States.svg Sergio Mora MD12N/a11 Aug 2012 Flag of the United States.svg Illusions Theater, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Won vacant NABO middleweight title
26Win20–6 Flag of the United States.svg Taronze WashingtonUD8N/a21 Apr 2012 Flag of the United States.svg Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.Won vacant WPBF International middleweight title
25Loss19–6 Flag of Ireland.svg Andy Lee UD10N/a 1 Oct 2011 Flag of the United States.svg Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win19–5 Flag of Mexico.svg Eloy SuarezKO8 (8)0:3024 Jun 2011 Flag of the United States.svg Dr Pepper Arena, Frisco, Texas, U.S.
23Win18–5 Flag of the United States.svg Sergio Mora SD10N/a4 Feb 2011 Flag of the United States.svg Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
22Loss17–5 Flag of Ukraine.svg Max Bursak UD12N/a4 Sep 2010 Flag of Ukraine.svg Sportpalace Meteor, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine
21Win17–4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sebastien Demers TKO3 (10)1:5711 Jun 2010 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Uniprix Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
20Loss16–4 Flag of Brazil.svg Isaac RodriguesMD10N/a6 Feb 2010 Flag of the United States.svg Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.
19Loss16–3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Craig McEwan UD10N/a8 May 2009 Flag of the United States.svg Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
18Loss16–2 Flag of the United States.svg James Kirkland TKO8 (10)1:45 22 Nov 2008 Flag of the United States.svg MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
17Win16–1 Flag of Ireland.svg Andy Lee TKO7 (10)2:1721 Mar 2008 Flag of the United States.svg Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
16Win15–1 Flag of the United States.svg Max Alexander UD6N/a 6 Nov 2007 Flag of the United States.svg TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
15Loss14–1 Flag of the United States.svg Jaidon Codrington KO2 (5)1:328 Sep 2007 Flag of the United States.svg Contender Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Fight aired as part of ESPN2's "The Contender" series.
14Win14–0 Flag of the United States.svg Darnell Boone UD10N/a15 Jun 2007 Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Centre, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.Retained IBA Intercontinental super middleweight title
13Win13–0 Flag of Colombia.svg Samuel MillerMD10N/a11 May 2007 Flag of the United States.svg Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
12Win12–0 Flag of the United States.svg Etianne WhitakerTKO3 (10)1:584 Nov 2006 Flag of the United States.svg Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana, U.S.Won vacant IBA Intercontinental super middleweight title
11Win11–0 Flag of Mexico.svg Antonio GarciaKO3 (8)?18 Aug 2006 Flag of the United States.svg American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
10Win10–0 Flag of the United States.svg Marcus HicksTKO5 (8)2:059 Jun 2006 Flag of the United States.svg Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.Won vacant United States Texas State middleweight title
9Win9–0 Flag of Mexico.svg Antonio GarciaUD8N/a16 Feb 2006 Flag of the United States.svg Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
8Win8–0 Flag of the United States.svg Jeremiah ChapmanKO2 (6)0:4016 Dec 2005 Flag of the United States.svg Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
7Win7–0 Flag of the United States.svg Cardyl FinleyKO1 (8)2:4726 Nov 2005 Flag of the United States.svg Music Hall, Austin, Texas, U.S.
6Win6–0 Flag of the United States.svg Freeman TaftTKO2 (6)2:0522 Jul 2005 Flag of the United States.svg Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
5Win5–0 Flag of the United States.svg Trenice BrownTKO3 (6)2:3616 Jun 2005 Flag of the United States.svg Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
4Win4–0 Flag of the United States.svg Javier DiazUD4N/a17 Mar 2005 Flag of the United States.svg Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
3Win3–0 Flag of the United States.svg Juan Jose RuizTKO2 (4)1:1026 Feb 2005 Flag of the United States.svg Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.
2Win2–0 Flag of the United States.svg Bert MontezTKO2 (4)?30 Sep 2004 Flag of the United States.svg Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.
1Win1–0 Flag of the United States.svg Avien CooperUD4N/a27 Aug 2004 Flag of the United States.svg Renaissance Worthington Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.Professional debut

Big Knockout Boxing record

0 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws
Res.RecordOpponentTypeRd, TimeDateLocationEventNotes
Loss0-1 Flag of the United States.svg Gabriel Rosado TKO 6 (7), 1:592014-08-16 Flag of the United States.svg Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada BKB 1For vacant BKB Middleweight title.

References

  1. "Local boxer wins Super Brawl before the Super Bowl".
  2. "Frank Erwin Center | Applause". Archived from the original on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  3. "Gilbert Vera : Boxer". boxrec.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16.
  4. "Gilbert Vera : Boxer". boxrec.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16.
  5. "Archived Document". Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  6. "Woods: Vera knocked out; first "Contender" to leave". 12 September 2007.