Irish Icon Andy Lee Relishing October 1 Vera Rematch

Newly crowned NABA and NABF Middleweight Champion, Andy Lee (26-1, 19KOs) is confident of beating Brian Vera (19-5, 12KOs) in their rematch on October 1st at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Vera is the only boxer to have defeated the Kronk fighter in his 5 year professional career.

Vera from Austin, Texas holds an extremely controversial 7th round stoppage win over Lee that occurred over 3 years ago on March 21, 2008.

Lee was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards and many boxing fans thought the fight was stopped prematurely when the referee, Tony Chiarantano intervened to stop the fight as Lee was throwing a punch. Lee was never knocked down or given a standing 8 count and was never in trouble throughout the fight.

Lou DiBella, who now promotes both fighters, has put together this intriguing match to feature live on HBO as chief supporting bout to pound for pound kingpin, Sergio Martinez’s (47-2-2, 26KOs) WBC Middleweight title defence against Englishman, Darren Barker (23-0, 14KOs).

Lee believes he has been handed a golden opportunity to set the record straight and take care of unfinished business from his first encounter with Vera.

The Irishman commented from the ring apron at the Detroit Kronk Gym “It would mean a lot to me to avenge my only loss and beat Brian Vera and show the fans who really is the better fighter between us. I am relishing the opportunity to get my revenge and redemption October 1st which cannot come soon enough.

I was a 23 year old kid back in 2008, I have matured since then and I am a stronger fighter now, both physically and mentally. There is no room for complacency in this game, I have all the tools to take care of Brian Vera and I will be well prepared for the fight. I am confident of beating him and putting on a show for the fans.

The Kronk fighter has had 11 straight wins since his only loss on his comeback trail and has positioned himself as a legitimate world title contender in the first quarter of 2012 for one of the major belts. He is presently ranked # 2 in the WBA and WBO and # 6 in the WBC ratings.

Lee is recognized as one of the strongest and effective punchers in the Middleweight Division with 19 of his opponents not seeing the final round. He can bang with either hand as formerly unbeaten world ranked Scotchman Craig McEwan found out in March this year in an epic battle dubbed the ‘Celtic War’.

Lee caught McEwan with a devastating overhand left in the 10th round sending his opponent crashing to the canvas. Referee Steve Stogger, concerned about the health and well being of McEwan, stopped the fight immediately without a count.

Newly crowned Middleweight NABF and NABA Champion, Lee’s punching power will give Vera, the smaller man, some food for thought and he will recall Lee dropping him in the 1st round of their fight in 2008 causing the referee to give Vera a standing 8 count.

World renowned boxing icon, Emanuel Steward knows a thing or two about boxing with a wealth of knowledge from over 40 years experience in the game and training more World Champions than any other trainer in the history of boxing.

Steward commented “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.

We have a strategy and game plan to win the fight and I am very confident Andy will take Brian Vera to school come fight night.”

Lee is a hungry fighter with the heart of a true champion, who strives in competitive and high risk fights. He is one step away from a world title shot and this is a must win fight for both fighters.

His desire for the rematch shows the depth of the character of the Irishman: It was a long time coming but he is determined to set the record straight and register an exciting and action packed win over Brian Vera.

Lee’s final comment “I am elated the fight has finally been made. The stage has been set for October 1st in Atlantic City and I’m not looking beyond this fight. I am totally focussed on the job and preparation is the key to success, it is time for me to go to work and do what I do best.”

Tickets are available for the fight by visiting http://www.ticketnetwork.com/tix/sergio-martinez-vs.-darren-barker-atlanticcity-nj-1691429.aspx?ref=cj .