ESPN’s Friday Night Fights will originate from the Fort Worth (Texas) Convention Center Arena on Super Bowl weekend at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The main event on the February 4 “Super Brawl 2011” show will feature former world champion and current #8 world-ranked junior middleweight Sergio Mora (22-1-2, 6 KO’s) meeting Fort Worth’s Brian Vera (17-5, 11 KO’s).
In Mora's last bout (September 18, 2011), he battled to a draw with future Hall-of-Famer Sugar Shane Mosley. Vera’s last two wins were both impressive knockout upsets, on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. One of those two wins was a stunning victory over world ranked Andy Lee (24-1), handing Lee his only career loss.
“I know Brian Vera’s a tough, tough fighter, that’s for sure -- I’m going to put this guy in the category of a hard-nosed, come-forward, hit-me-with-all-you-got Jake Lamotta-type fighter,” said Mora. “He’s going to put the pressure on me -- there will be blood. Vera is a fan-friendly style fighter and he’s fighting in his hometown on a huge weekend, so it should be a nice battle of machismo on February 4.”
Friday’s card will also feature an 8-round junior middleweight bout between highly regarded prospects, Charles Hatley (14-0, 11 KO’s) and Chris Chatman (9-1, 4 KO's). Hatley is coming off of a hard-fought unanimous decision against a tough Emanuel Augustus in his last fight. The 22 year old Hatley, of Dallas, was an alternate on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. The San Diego native, Chatman, is coming off two victories over undefeated fighters Lester Gonzalez (11-0-1) and Alberto Herrera (7-0-1). Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside describing the action. Studio host Brian Kenny will also be in Fort Worth, presenting special Super Bowl-related guests and all the latest boxing news and highlights.
Media Contact: Stephen McDonald (860) 766-0523; stephen.mcdonald@espn.com
