Brian Vera

Last updated
Brian Vera
Born
Bryan Lee Vera

(1981-12-28) December 28, 1981 (age 42)
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

26 Wins (16 Knockouts, 10 Decisions), 16 Losses, 0 Draws
Res.RecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
Loss26-16 Flag of Egypt.svg Ahmed Elbiali TKO6 (10)2019-12-28 Flag of the United States.svg State Farm Arena, Atlanta, United States
Loss26-15 Flag of the United States.svg Marcus McDanielUD62019-02-09 Flag of the United States.svg New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Loss26-14 Flag of Ghana.svg Sena AgbekoUD82018-12-08 Flag of the United States.svg Mid-TN Expo, Murfreesboro, United States
Loss26-13 Flag of the United States.svg Jas PhippsUD62017-12-08 Flag of the United States.svg Round Rock Sports Center, Round Rock, United States
Loss26-12 Flag of the United States.svg Mike GavronskiTKO6 (10)2017-09-09 Flag of the United States.svg Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, United States
Win26-11 Flag of Colombia.svg Milton Nuñez RTD5 (8)2017-06-24 Flag of the United States.svg San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, San Antonio, United States
Win25-11 Flag of the United States.svg Larry SmithTKO2 (6)2017-01-21 Flag of the United States.svg Alzafar Shrine, San Antonio, United States
Win24-11 Flag of Mexico.svg Juan Carlos RojasMD62016-10-15 Flag of the United States.svg Zaragoza Park, Austin, United States
Loss23-11 Flag of Russia.svg Matvey Korobov UD82016-06-25 Flag of the United States.svg The Bomb Factory, Dallas, United States
Loss23-10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rocky Fielding TKO2 (12)2015-06-26 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Echo Arena, Liverpool, England For WBC International Silver Super Middleweight title.
Loss23-9 Flag of the United States.svg Willie Monroe Jr. UD102015-01-16 Flag of the United States.svg Turning Stone Resort & Casino, New York, United StatesFor WBA-NABA & WBO NABO Middleweight titles.
Loss23-8 Flag of Mexico.svg Julio César Chávez Jr. UD122014-03-01 Flag of the United States.svg Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, United States
Loss23-7 Flag of Mexico.svg Julio César Chávez Jr. UD102013-09-28 Flag of the United States.svg StubHub Center, Carson, California, United States
Win23-6 Flag of Lithuania.svg Donatas BondorovasRTD7 (10)2013-03-29 Flag of the United States.svg Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, United StatesRetained WBO NABO Middleweight title.
Win22-6 Flag of Ukraine.svg Serhiy Dzinziruk TKO10 (12)2013-01-25 Flag of the United States.svg Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, United StatesRetained WBO NABO Middleweight title.
Win21-6 Flag of the United States.svg Sergio Mora MD122012-08-11 Flag of the United States.svg Illusions Theater, San Antonio, Texas, United StatesWon vacant WBO NABO Middleweight title.
Win20-6 Flag of the United States.svg Taronze WashingtonUD82012-04-21 Flag of the United States.svg Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United StatesWon vacant WPBF International Middleweight title.
Loss19-6 Flag of Ireland.svg Andy Lee UD102011-10-01 Flag of the United States.svg Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win19-5 Flag of Mexico.svg Eloy SuarezKO8 (8)2011-06-24 Flag of the United States.svg Dr Pepper Arena, Frisco, Texas, United States
Win18-5 Flag of the United States.svg Sergio Mora SD102011-02-04 Flag of the United States.svg Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Loss17-5 Flag of Ukraine.svg Max Bursak UD122010-09-04 Flag of Ukraine.svg Sportpalace Meteor, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine
Win17-4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sebastien Demers TKO3 (10)2010-06-11 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Uniprix Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss16-4 Flag of Brazil.svg Isaac RodriguesMD102010-02-26 Flag of the United States.svg Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York, United States
Loss16-3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Craig McEwan UD102009-05-08 Flag of the United States.svg Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Loss16-2 Flag of the United States.svg James Kirkland TKO8 (10)2008-11-22 Flag of the United States.svg MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win16-1 Flag of Ireland.svg Andy Lee TKO7 (10)2008-03-21 Flag of the United States.svg Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win15-1 Flag of the United States.svg Max Alexander UD62007-11-06 Flag of the United States.svg TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Loss14-1 Flag of the United States.svg Jaidon Codrington KO2 (5)2007-09-08 Flag of the United States.svg Contender Arena, Los Angeles, California, United StatesFight aired as part of ESPN2's "The Contender" series.
Win14-0 Flag of the United States.svg Darnell Boone UD102007-06-15 Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Centre, Youngstown, Ohio, United StatesRetained IBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight Title.
Win13-0 Flag of Colombia.svg Samuel MillerMD102007-05-11 Flag of the United States.svg Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, United States
Win12-0 Flag of the United States.svg Etianne WhitakerTKO3 (10)2006-11-04 Flag of the United States.svg Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana, United StatesWon Vacant IBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight Title.
Win11-0 Flag of Mexico.svg Antonio GarciaKO3 (8)2006-08-18 Flag of the United States.svg American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
Win10-0 Flag of the United States.svg Marcus HicksTKO5 (8)2006-06-09 Flag of the United States.svg Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, United StatesWon vacant United States Texas State Middleweight title.
Win9-0 Flag of Mexico.svg Antonio GarciaUD82006-02-16 Flag of the United States.svg Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Win8-0 Flag of the United States.svg Jeremiah ChapmanKO2 (6)2005-12-16 Flag of the United States.svg Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas, United States
Win7-0 Flag of the United States.svg Cardyl FinleyKO1 (8)2005-11-26 Flag of the United States.svg Music Hall, Austin, Texas, United States
Win6-0 Flag of the United States.svg Freeman TaftTKO2 (6)2005-07-22 Flag of the United States.svg Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win5-0 Flag of the United States.svg Trenice BrownTKO3 (6)2005-06-16 Flag of the United States.svg Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Win4-0 Flag of the United States.svg Javier DiazUD42005-03-17 Flag of the United States.svg Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Win3-0 Flag of the United States.svg Juan Jose RuizTKO2 (4)2005-02-26 Flag of the United States.svg Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Win2-0 Flag of the United States.svg Bert MontezTKO2 (4)2004-09-30 Flag of the United States.svg Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas, United States
Win1-0 Flag of the United States.svg Avien CooperUD42004-08-27 Flag of the United States.svg Renaissance Worthington Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas, United StatesProfessional 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.

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