by James Slater – Back in March of 2008, when they met as middleweights, Andy Lee was the upcoming star of the future, and Brian Vera was very much occupying the role of “opponent.” However, there was an upset in the exciting fight and a little under seven-rounds into the bout Lee was suddenly a beaten man; a fighter who had been “exposed.”
Both men have fought a number of fights since, and the two men have had differing amounts of success in doing so. Irishman Lee, still only 26, has won all of his six post-Vera bouts, three by stoppage; while Texan Vera, 28-years-old, has won just one of the four fights he has had since tearing the script up against the Emanuel Steward-trained hope..
Still, a closer look at the differing quality of opposition the two men have been fighting lets you know that Vera has been matched far tougher than has Lee; much tougher. Lee has bounced back with decent enough wins in Ireland, Germany and America, but only Willie Gibbs, who he fought in his first fight back since losing to Vera, had a good record as well as a recognisable name.
Vera, meanwhile, in not being given much of a chance to enjoy his 7th-round TKO win over the Detroit-based Limerick fighter, went in with three – count ’em, three – unbeaten fighters in a row! Losing to the currently incarcerated and lethal-punching James Kirkland (TKO by 8), the then 14-0 Craig McEwan and the then 16-0 Isaac Rodrigues (both losses coming on points), Vera had no reason to feel any shame. But his career needed a win to stop him from becoming a fulltime journeyman/trial horse. Last night in Canada, he got it.
Blasting out local man and former IBF middleweight title challenger Sebastien Demers inside three-rounds, Vera got his best win in a while. His best win since blasting out Lee, to be precise. Knowing he had to get the win or else his career at anything like top level would be over, the former “Contender” season three participant did what was needed. The question is, where does he go next?
A natural fight, at least in my opinion, would be a return fight with Lee. Sure, Vera, now 17-4(11) fought up at 168-pounds last night, and Lee’s last couple of fights have been fought at just above middleweight, but if a weight could be agreed on a rematch would be a great match-up. Conceivably a rematch that could go either way (remember, Lee had Vera down in the opening round back in March of 08), Vera-Lee II wouldn’t be a boring affair, that’s for sure.
Southpaw Lee, now 21-1(15) would have a chance at gaining himself a spot of revenge, while Vera would have himself the opportunity of capitalising on another big win. Whether the fight takes place in Ireland or in America, this prospective rematch should happen.
The fans deserve it. Both fighters deserve it. But do both fighters want it?