Andy Lee v. Brian Vera II

Well, according to the front page, it is 'game on'! :happy

 

If anything it was losing his composure and going for the KO instead of boxing smart that was the cause of Lee's downfall. He has steamrolled every opponent he's faced before Vera and got cocky when finally faced with an opponent he couldn't steamroll. Beyond that Andy seems to have stanima problems and his punching power diminished in the mid rounds.

Andy violated the main rule of boxing. "Defend yourself at all times." Refs tend to stop fights when one fighter looks hurt, is taking multiple damaging shots and not doing anything effective to stop them. What Andy should have done was go into a defensive mode, clinch Vera or take a knee. Something (anything) to get Vera to stop punching him. But throwing ineffective countershots wasn't it.

A good example is Pavlik's survival in the second round of his fight with Taylor. He blocked shots, he kept his hands up, he clinched. He didn't really fight back until he started to get his legs back. It wouldn't be a bad thing if as part of a new training exercise Manny put Lee in the ring with a sparring partner and told him that he wasn't allowed to punch back for one minute while his opponent attempted to knock him out. (Perhaps this is an exercise best done while wearing protective head gear)

 

That article on the main page is not accurate. Vera's people are not interested in a rematch at this time. Vera is a Contender fighter, and Jeff Wald says "been there, done that, it's time to move on."

Boo

 

I should know better than to trust the 'editorial integrity' of ESB.

 

An article I read confirms Lee and Steward wanting Vera again..and it states that Vera is willing:good

 

I'm sure Vera is willing. Fighters are after all FIGHTERS! That's why many of the best let the promoters and managers handle the match making. All I can say is that I think Wald is right when he says there is no reason for a rematch. If it was up to me I'd pit Vera against Ornelas for the NABF title, or match him with the winner of McKart/Marquez, and tell Andy Lee to go to the back of the line.

Boo