Sergio Mora was a graduate of the first The Contender series and like Peter Manfredo, who appeared on ESPN Friday night fights earlier this year, he became a popular fighter.  Mora, unlike others from that first year, at least won one title against Vernon Forest, a very good fighter in his own right.  His only loss was to Forest in a rematch and he managed a draw against Shane Mosley, a Hall of Fame fighter when he retires. 

Mora proved to be a good fighter but not all time great but at least he has some meaningful victories in his career. His opponent, Brian Vera, was also a graduate of The Contender Series two years later. Vera never reached the summit that Mora reached but for this night, he had the chance to make his mark.  Vera came into the fight as the underdog but he has upset undefeated fighters in his career including Andy Lee and Sebastien Demers.   

The opening bout featured undefeated prospects Christ Hatley against his toughest opponent to date, Chris Chatman. The first round looked like Hatley would end the fight as he landed a beautiful right hand against Chatman who came out in a southpaw stance.  For the next ninety seconds, Chatman survived Hatley's barrage before righting the ship over the final thirty seconds of the round.  From this point on, Chatman engaged in a strategy of attack and forced Hatley to fight.   

From the second round on, Chatman aggressively pressured Hatley, forcing Hatley to counter attack.  If the first round was an easy round for Hatley, the second thru the seventh were difficult rounds to score and difficult for Hatley to win.  When Hatley forced the fight in the middle of the round, he held all the cards with his quicker hands.  When Chatman forced Hatley to the rope, he was able to apply pressure with an effective body attack.  Throughout the early rounds, Hatley more accurate punching allowed him to garner a lead on the scorecard but as the fight progressed, Hatley slowed down and Chatman forced the fight to the ropes.   

Hatley held the lead going into the eighth round and all he had to do was to stay standing plus avoid hitting the canvas for even a knockdown.  Chatman needed a knockout to win, so he went all out against the moving Hatley.  With half of round left, a Chatman straight left sent Hatley down; he managed to beat the count but he wobbled the rest of the round as he desperately tried to survive the round.  Chatman threw everything he had to end the fight but Hatley managed to end the round on his feet.  The fight was scored a majority draw as Hatley won one card but the knockdown cost him a victory on two other cards as he managed only a draw on the remaining two judges’ scorecards.  

Vera's strategy was to challenge the light punching Mora by constant pressure and not allowing Mora to set his own pattern. Mora always had one flaw that kept him from becoming an elite fighter, a lack of power punch. With only six knockouts in his twenty two victories, Mora always depended upon his guile and boxing skills. He has been willing to trade punches but he also could box. Vera was not going to match Mora if it turn into a boxing match but he knew he could take Mora's best.  From the opening bell to the closing bell, Vera attacked and Mora defended. 

This was a fight with many close rounds, as Mora often defended well, blocking many punches but Vera was the busier fighter and his punches had more pop.  Throughout the fight, Mora counters effectively but Vera's body shot scored as well and allowed an occasional head shot to score.  The fight was scored a split decision for Brian Vera. 

Mora's weakness was on display since he could never punish Vera when Vera attacked.  Vera never was hurt   Mora is a good and entertaining fighter but he is not a great fighter.  Mora lacks the knock out punch or that overwhelming hand speed that separates good fighters from great fighters.  Pacquiao's greatness is helped by his power and hand speed and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s defensive prowess is helped by his fast hands.  Mora does not have Pacquaio power or Mayweather hand speed, which is why he has become a good fighter but not an elite fighter. He does many things well but not one or two things great.  As for Vera, he is a good fighter, capable of the occasional upset but he is not a top ten fighter. Beating Mora will be his career highlight but in a career that has featured a few major upsets. Vera will never be a champion but like Mora, he has had a good career that very few boxers can have.  

==========================

SHOBOX: Prospect have much to Learn