Newly crowned NABA and NABF Middleweight Champion, Andy Lee (26-1, 19KOs) has long held a burning desire for the opportunity to have a rematch against Brian Vera (18-5, 11KOs), who is the only boxer to have defeated the Kronk fighter in his professional career.
Vera holds a 7th round stoppage win over Lee that occurred over 3 years ago on March 21, 2008. Lee was ahead on all the judges’ scorecards and many boxing fans thought the fight was stopped prematurely when the referee intervened to stop the fight as Lee was throwing a punch. Lee never touched the mat with his glove or never was knocked down. In fact Lee should have been given a standing 8 count if the referee felt he was in any sort of trouble.
Since that sole defeat, the Kronk fighter has had 11 straight wins on his comeback trail and has positioned himself as a legitimate world title contender and is presently ranked # 3 in the WBA, # 3 in the WBO and # 9 in the WBC ratings.
Team Lee’s goal is to secure a rematch with Vera sometime in 2011, but at this time a very nervous and concerned Vera is presently unwilling to face Lee in a rematch. Promoters are continuing to work behind the scenes on getting a second Lee v Vera war inked.
The Kronk fighter sees a rematch with Vera as an opportunity to take care of unfinished business. Lee commented “It would mean a lot to me to avenge my only loss and show the fans who really is the better fighter between us. I would like my chance to get my revenge and redemption. Let’s get the fight on now Brian and prove who the best fighter is.”
The timing has never been better for these two prize-fighters to meet in the ring with Vera coming off a successful win against the talented Sergio Mora in February 2011 and Lee beating formerly unbeaten world ranked Craig McEwan in March 2011 and veteran fighter, Alex Bunema last Wednesday evening.
Emanuel Steward, Lee’s manager and trainer commented “I believe a fight between Andy Lee and Brian Vera is the fight the boxing public want to see and TV companies want to broadcast. Both fighters have different styles and as we all know it is styles that make fights.
Andy is a tall rangy fighter with superior technical skills than Vera and he carries power in both hands, where as Vera is a pressure fighter who likes to fight on the inside and slug it out with opponents.”
In recent years boxing fans have shown a great interest in a second Lee v Vera encounter as it has all the ingredients of making a classic fight. Andy Lee is up for the fight and hopes the fight can be made soon.
‘The New Generation Boxing Series’ Launch June 18 in Hartford
HARTFORD (May 26, 2011) – Bulldog Cartel Promotions launches its “The New Generation Boxing Series” Saturday night, June 18 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
“We’re committed to bringing Saturday night pro boxing back to Connecticut and showcasing the pool of young talent here right at home,” promoter Craig Salamone said. “Our shows will feature old-fashioned boxers in entertaining, competitive fights for local bragging rights. These young guys need to fight in order to improve and a build fan base. Bulldog Cartel Promotions is going to give them that opportunity on a regular basis.”
The eight-round main event features a pair of dangerous cruiserweights sporting deceiving records, Joshua “Juice” Harris (7-4-1, 5 KOs) and Harvey “Candy Man” Jolly (11-17-1, 6 KOs). Harris, of Providence, registered a shocking first-round knockout of Alexis Mejias (10-1) two years ago, while Jolly did the same thing against previously undefeated Nicholas Iannuzzi (12-0), who recently lost a controversial decision to budding star Lateef Kayode.
The eight-round co-feature is an interesting match-up between a talented prospect, undefeated Hartford welterweight Javier “El Chino” Flores (5-0, 5 KOs), against 35-year-old veteran Shaka Moore (11-15-3, 2 KOs). Puerto Rica-native Flores is coming off of a sensational second-round knockout of Marcus Hall this past February. Moore, of Norwalk, won a four-round bout by technical decision versus Noel Garcia in April at the Connecticut Convention Center.
Another hot prospect, super middleweight Lamar Russ (7-0, 5 KOs) puts his perfect record on the line against TBA. Russ, now fighting out of Hartford, upset Haitian Olympian Elie Augustama by six-round decision in December.
Promising junior featherweight Luis Rosa, Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs), representing New Haven, meets TBA in a six-rounder. Also fighting on the undercard in four-round bouts are New Haven junior welterweight Carlos Hernandez (0-2) against Springfield’s (MA) Barrington Douse (0-1), along with three New Haven boxers making their pro debuts – lightweight Oscar Bonilla vs. TBA, junior featherweight Josh Crespo vs. Frankie Garriga and super middleweight Charles Foster vs. Lee Snow. Garriga and Snow will also be making their pro debuts.
Former world light middleweight champion Vincent “The Ambassador” Pettway will be working the corners of Jolley and Snow.
Tickets are priced at $80.00 (ringside) and $40.00 (general admission) and available to purchase by going on line to www.WorldClassTickets.com, at the Connecticut Convention Center box office, and calling 860.759.8898 or 203.889.1222.
“Homecoming” Fact sheet is for June 25 in Holyoke (MA)
WHAT: “Homecoming” professional boxing show
BOUTS: MAIN EVENT – 8 ROUNDS – CRUISERWEIGHTS
DERRICK “Double Impact” WHITLEY ADAM “The Hitman” HARRIS
Holyoke, MA Worcester, MA
24-25-3 (11 KOs) 10-4 (7 KOs)
CO-FEATURE – 6 ROUNDS – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
JOSEPH “Chip” PEREZ KEVIN CARMODY
Holyoke, MA Philadelphia, PA
5-1 (2 KOs) 10-13-2 (1 KO)
4 ROUNDS – JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS
JAIR “Da-Bully” RAMOS JOEL ALARCON
Waterbury, CT New Bedford,, MA
Pro Debut 0-2
4 ROUNDS – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
PEDRO “Tyson” GONZALES GEORGE PEREZ
Holyoke, MA Newark, NJ
Pro Debut 0-1-1
4 ROUNDS – LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
REINALDO GRACESKI TBA
Springfield, MA
1-0 (0 KOs)
4 ROUNDS – WELTERWEIGHTS
JOSE ANGEL “KO” ORTIZ NOEL GARCIA
Springfield, MA by way of Puerto Rico Springfield, MA
4-6-1 (1 KO) 2-9-1 (1 KO)
4 ROUNDS – CRUISERWEIGHTS
JOSE TORRES COVON GRAHAM
Springfield, MA Detroit, MI
Pro Debut Pro Debut
4 ROUNDS – BANTAMWEIGHTS
NATE GREEN JOHN LOWERY
New Haven, CT Philadelphia, PA
Pro Debut Pro Debut
(ALL FIGHTS AND FIGHTERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
WHEN: Saturday, June 25, 2011
WHERE: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke (70 Nick Cosmos Way)
PROMOTER: American Fighting Organization
TICKETS: $40.00, $50.00 and $100.00 and available at or by calling (413.534.7366) the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, as well as going on line at www.afomma.com
INFORMATION: Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.