When Brian Vera (20-6 12KO’s) and Sergio Mora (23-2-2 7KO’s) step back in the ring for their rematch there will be a little extra incentive this time around. To add some fuel to the fire, the vacant NABO middleweight title will be on the line. The crowd at the Illusions Theatre in San Antonio will have the opportunity to see Mora’s attempt at avenging the loss from their February 2011 bout.
The initial installment of this new found rivalry was quite an action packed event. Vera forced the tempo all night and landed the harder punches while Mora fought slick, slipping and dipping punches while returning fire in spots. Vera pulled out the 10 round split decision 96-94, 96-94 in his favor with the 3rd judge scoring it 96-94 for Mora.
Since fighting Mora, Brian Vera is 2-1 with 1 win coming by way of knockout. His first fight after was against Eloy Suarez. Suarez was completely overmatched for the 8 rounds the fight lasted until he met his demise and was KO’d. A rematch with highly touted opponent Andy Lee was up next. Lee dominated the fight en route to a lopsided unanimous decision and put Vera to the canvas in the 2nd round. Vera was more successful vs. Taronze Washington in March of this year. Washington was another confidence builder for Vera and he had no business being in the ring with Brian for anything other than just that, a confidence builder. A blowout 8 round unanimous decision was the outcome and Vera notched the 20th win of his career.
Mora hasn’t been that active since facing Vera. He has one fight under his belt and it was a stoppage between rounds of veteran Jose Flores in November of 2011. Flores may not be all that well known but he is head and shoulders above Washington and Suarez, the two opponents Vera defeated. It was a typical fight for Mora, slick defense and a relatively low punch output. But after establishing his dominance from late in the 2nd round through the 7th, Flores’ corner saw there was no need to send their fighter out to receive more punishment.
I anticipate this fight will look very similar to their first battle. Vera will have his foot on the gas and look to back Mora down, while Mora exhibits slick defense and throws combos in spurts. I use the word slick again because that’s the exact word that pops into your head when you see how elusive he can be at times. The problem with Mora is that he doesn’t have real KO power and doesn’t throw enough punches, which makes it difficult to win a decision against a high motor guy like Vera. I have Vera winning again on the cards. It will definitely be an exciting fight worth watching. Both fighters are in the second half of their career and a loss will pretty much knock them out of any chance of being in contention for a big fight. The card will be televised on TeleFutura, brought to you by Golden Boy Promotions and Jesse James Leija’s company — Leija & Battah Promotions — and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate.
The undercard for Saturday night includes Antonio Escalante vs. Leonilo Miranda in an 8 round featherweight contest. Daquan Arnett vs. Ishwar Armador in a 6 round Jr. middleweight bout, 4 rounds of featherweight action between Jerren Cochran vs. Jesus Rocha. Steve Hall vs. Roger Rosa squaring off in a 6 round welterweight fight, Jr. featherweights Javier Rodriguez vs. Kermit Hendricks and welterweights Benjamin Whitaker vs. German Carson each in 4 round bouts.