By James Slater – Texan warrior Bryan Vera once again upset the odds this past Friday, as he out-pointed heavy favourite Sergio Mora in an exciting action bout. Improving to 18-5(11), the 29-year-old also almost certainly earned himself an even bigger fight – maybe even a world title shot.
Very kindly taking the time to speak with me on his fine ten-round points win and who and what may be next for him, the always-exciting contender had the following things to say:
James Slater: It’s always great to speak with you, Bryan…..
Bryan Vera: Thanks. I’m sorry you couldn’t reach me yesterday.
J.S: I guess you were celebrating, as you deserve to after that great win over Sergio Mora!
B.V: Oh, yeah – we’ve kind of been moving around a lot.
J.S: Congratulations on the win. You were a pretty big underdog going in…
B.V: Like always (laughs).
J.S: Did you always feel you’d beat Mora? You pressured him the whole night and just out-worked him.
B.V: Yeah, we knew I’d be stronger and that I’d just walk through him, kind of bully him. And that’s what we did.
J.S: Absolutely. Did you have any worries when you were waiting for the reading of the score-cards though?
B.V: I figured it was close, but I thought I’d won a unanimous decision actually. When I heard his name read out first that scared me a little. But they got the right winner.
J.S: How is your eye now, with the cut you picked up later in the fight?
B.V: They gave me five stitches in the locker room. It’s healed up now. It was just an old cut that reopened with a head-butt. I thought I might get out of the fight without a scratch!
J.S: You used your left hook to good effect, especially early in the fight. Is the left hook your favourite punch?
B.V: Well, in his previous fight (the draw with Sugar Shane Mosley), he didn’t look for the left, he looked more for the right. So I think my left hook kind of caught him off guard. It shook him up a little and he tried to play like it wasn’t hurting him, but…
J.S: People have said it’s your biggest win to date, even bigger than the stoppage win over Andy Lee. Do you agree?
B.V: Yeah, at this point, with him being a top-ten fighter. The win has put me right back up there as far as getting an opportunity for a title elimination or a fight like that.
J.S: And the fans are talking about who will be next for you – with names like Andy Lee and Kelly Pavlik being mentioned. Who would you like next, Bryan?
B.V: I’d fight any of them. But I think people want to see me fight Andy Lee again. If he does well against Craig McEwan (on March 12th), maybe we could fight [ a rematch] on HBO. I know Emanuel Steward has said some things, that I turned down certain offers; but that’s not the case. I’m willing to do the fight.
J.S: I know you were greatly upset when the fight you had set with Kelly Pavlik fell apart. You deserve a big fight now, a title fight. You’ve earned it.
B.V: Thank you.
J.S: You are known as a guy who causes a lot of upsets. Do you feel you are at your peak right now? You seemed to have so much energy in the Mora fight.
B.V: I feel I’m at the strongest of my career right now. I never had the amateur pedigree that Andy Lee and some of these guys had. So I’m still learning, I’m still getting better. As long as I stay in the gym, you’re gonna see me get better, faster and stronger.
J.S: How many more upsets can you score? Only a foolish fighter will ever underestimate you now!
B.V: I don’t mind the role of underdog. Whether I win or lose a fight in the end, I’m always determined. I have proved I will be a hard fight for anyone. Sometimes I’ve had less time to get ready for a fight. At this point in my career I have to always stay ready.
J.S: Another name that has been mentioned as a fine rival for you is Peter Manfredo. He’s doing real well now, on a roll as he is. Would you like that fight?
B.V: Yeah, for me, I think our styles would make it an action fight. We’d both stay on each other’s chest. It would be an exciting fight, a fun fight.
J.S: Do you feel you and your team can get you a title fight, either late this year or early next? Do you think it will happen for you as it should?
B.V: I believe so, yes. I proved that I am willing to fight anybody. I’ve fought six or seven undefeated guys and a lot of guys who were in the top-ten. So, yeah, a title shot should come later this year or early next as you said.
J.S: It’s been a pleasure speaking with you, Bryan. For my final question: how does it feel, knowing you beat a guy Shane Mosley couldn’t beat!?
B.V: We actually said that after the fight; we spoke about that. I did what a future Hall of Famer couldn’t do! I can always say that. And if Pacquiao can’t beat Mosley, that will be ever better for me.
J.S: How do you see that one going?
B.V: I think Pac-Man is too much of a monster, too at his best right now. I hope Mosley does well, but I think he’s in trouble with Pacquiao.
J.S: Best of luck with your own career, Bryan. We look forward to your next fight, whoever it’s against.
B.V: Thank you for keeping up with me.