By James Slater: Last night in Fort Worth, Texas, during the exciting Bryan Vera-Sergio Mora rumble, a Vera fan held a sign that read “Vera KO’s Sergio Then Beats Pavlik.” Well, 29-year-old Vera didn’t KO “The Latin Snake,” but he beat him and in doing so he set himself up for at least one big payday. Maybe what was written on the sign of the fan of Vera will prove prophetic, with the always-exciting Texan getting that big fight with the former middleweight king.
Vera and Pavlik were supposed to fight on November 13th, on the Pacquiao-Margarito card, but “The Ghost” pulled out with an illness (as we now know, Pavlik was battling an alcohol problem at the time, which was the real reason for his pulling out of the fight). Fans were expecting another exciting, but mostly likely losing effort by Vera ahead of the aborted fight. But now, if the fight is rearranged, things could be a whole lot different. Not only have we no idea how much Pavlik has left, but we have to give Vera much respect for the way he beat Mora; a man who was, after all, coming off a draw with future Hall of Famer Shane Mosley.
Vera, 18-5(11) looked as good as he’s ever looked last night: full of energy, landing fine left hooks and right hands to the head and boxing well at times. What really won Vera the fight, though, was his simply wanting it more. Last night, Vera would not take no for an answer, and it just might be that this blend of fitness, toughness, determination and attitude will see the former “Contender” to another upset win – this one over Pavlik.
But things sure have changed now, and maybe Pavlik and his team will not fancy the fight with Vera the same way they did before. Of course, Pavlik – who has yet to fight for the first time since his recent spell in rehab – cannot be rushed, and maybe he wants to take a “safe” fight back before he ups the level. And Bryan Vera is in no way a “safe” opponent for anyone, least of all a recovering former champion.
With the styles of the two men, there is no way a Vera-Pavlik clash would be dull. Many fans expected a somewhat boring affair last night, largely basing their opinions on the style of Mora. Instead, though, we were treated to a dandy. Pavlik Vs. Vera, if it happens, will be even better!
But there are other options for the hard-working, fan-friendly Vera. How about a return fight between he and the man he upset in 2008; Andy Lee? Or, perhaps less likely, we could maybe see the returning James Kirkland tackle Vera for a second time. The unbeaten, recently incarcerated Kirkland stopped Vera in a rough and tough fight back in late 2008 (in what was Vera’s next fight after his big win over Lee). Maybe Vera would jump at the chance of extracting revenge over Kirkland in a rematch this year some time?
Either way, and whoever he fights next, Vera deserves a good payday. If he can beat a Pavlik, a Lee (again) or a Kirkland, Bryan Lee Vera will get much more than that!