Brian Vera upsets Sergio Mora
Ft. Worth native Brian Vera used a steady, determined assault to earn a split decision in a career-best performance against former junior middleweight belt-holder Sergio Mora in his hometown on ESPN 2’s “Friday Night Fights.”
Vera (18-5, 11 KOs) took advantage of Mora’s lethargic pace early by staying busy and out-punching his opponent by a wide margin over the first half of the ten-round, 163-lb. catchweight bout. Mora (22-2-2, 6 KOs) failed to leverage his superior skill and quickness, allowing the Texan to batter him repeatedly inside as he ducked and pot-shotted in return.
Mora looked to be doing more damage later in the fight but was hampered by two cuts, one from a punch and the other from a clash of heads. Vera showed fantastic conditioning in keeping up the pressure for nine rounds, slowing only in the tenth after Mora wobbled him with a few choice shots. Another two rounds could have served Mora well; all three judges scored the fight 96-94.
The split decision seemed a fitting verdict for the highly entertaining contest. Several of the middle rounds could have gone either way depending on whether one favors action or accuracy. Mora’s hopes of securing another big money fight appear to have dimmed after two consecutive lackluster showings. He may be better suited at junior middleweight, where the competition is lighter and his punches have more effect.
With the win Vera breaks a streak of four losses in five fights, all by decision save a November 2008 eighth-round TKO loss to James Kirkland. No doubt he hopes to translate Friday’s nationally televised performance into a marquee fight; perhaps a televised eliminator against Fernando Guerrero or Peter Manfredo Jr. that would set the winner up for a shot at an alphabet title.
On the undercard local junior middleweight prospect Charles Hatley and the rugged Chris Chatman fought to an entertaining draw that set the tone for the evening. Chatman (9-1-1, 4 KOs) recovered from a flash knockdown in the first round to outlast Hatley (14-0-1, 11 KOs), dropping the highly-decorated amateur in the eighth and final round to even the scorecards for a majority draw.
18-year old Dallas bantamweight prodigy Ray Ximenez Jr. showed skills and composure far beyond his years against the 30-year old Alfredo Berto. Another prospect with a top-notch amateur pedigree, Ximenez showed off a stylish approach and bears watching for the future.