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.
