Boxing Update: Kirkland Gets Vera Test On Hatton vs. Malignaggi Undercard

ByBoxing Press

Before Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi step into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to settle their score on November 22, two junior middleweight bangers will light up the Las Vegas night with their explosive attacks when unbeaten James Kirkland takes on ‘The Contender’s” Brian Vera in a 10-round All-Texas co-feature.

“James Kirkland is moving in on a world title shot pretty fast, but Brian Vera has proved that he isn’t going to step aside for anybody,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “He’s coming off a big win over Andy Lee and another one over Kirkland will put him right in the title mix himself. I’m expecting this to be a terrific match.”

A two-fisted knockout artist who is on a tear through the 154-pound division, 24-year-old Austin native James Kirkland, 23-0 (20), has no reverse gear when he’s in the ring, a quality that has rapidly made him a fan favorite. Currently on a four fight knockout streak that has seen no opponent make it past round two, Kirkland advises fight fans not to blink when the bell rings on November 22.

A former Texas and IBA intercontinental champion, Fort Worth native Brian Vera, 16-1 (10), made a splash on the world scene as a member of “The Contender’s” third season. Although he didn’t win the competition, he was impressive in a season-ending win over Max Alexander and even more impressive in March of this year when he halted the rise of unbeaten phenom Andy Lee via a seventh round TKO. The 26-year-old hopes to issue a similar boxing lesson to Kirkland this November.

Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi, a scheduled 12-round battle for Hatton’s Ring Magazine and IBO Junior Welterweight titles, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Punch Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Affliction Clothing and Cerveza Tecate. Kirkland vs. Vera is presented in association with Tournament of Contenders. Both bouts will air live on HBO’s World Championship Boxing broadcast beginning at 7:00pm PT / 10:00pm ET.

Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150 are still available at any MGM Grand box office outlet and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.