Brian Vera Shot For WPBF International Title

FORT WORTH, TEXAS --- Long time Middleweight Contender and Texas native Brian Vera (19-6, 12KO's) will headline former world champions Paulie Ayala's next show, Gloves & Guitars:  The Tejano Throwdown on Saturday, April 21st at the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Vera will take on tough journeyman Taronze Washington (14-16, 7 KOs) for the vacant World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) International Middleweight Title.

Vera first rose to fame on Season 3 of the reality TV series The Contender back in 2007 where he suffered his first professional loss to the show’s runner-up, Jaidon Codrington.  Since that loss Vera has fought the top prospects of the middleweight division with mixed results.

He came back from near defeat against Emanuel Steward's trained Andy Lee to score an impressive 7th round TKO in a fight Lee was dominating.  This fight personified Vera’s never say die attitude that has made him a fan favorite.  Although he lost to Lee in a rematch in his last fight, he pulled off a 10 round split decision victory against former world champion and fellow The Contender alumnus Sergio Mora back in 2011.  He has also fought and lost to James Kirkland and Craig McEwan while beating Sebastien Demers and Etianne Whitaker, all considered top fighters in the division at one time or another.

Vera hopes to get back to his winning ways against tough journeyman Taronze Washington (14-16, 7KO's) in a fight that will likely put him back in contention with the best of the division.  A loss to Washington could curtail those plans.

Ayala once again has filled his card with the top prospects in the Dallas Forth Worth area which includes Miguel “The Fighting Marine” Buendia, Samuel “Main Event” Clarkson and Manuel “The Punisher” Rojas all fighting in separate bouts.And to add to an already exciting night of fights, Ayala will continue his new series, Gloves & Guitars (www.glovesandguitars.com), with some of the nation’s top Tejano musicians to perform at the event.

Elida Reyna cleaned up at the 2011 Tejano Music Awards as she won Song of the year-Prefiero Morir, Female Vocalist of the Year, Tejano Album of the Year-Fantasia, Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and the Duet of the year with Michael Salgado.  Siggno will perform with lead vocalist Jesse Turner who was 2009 Male Vocalist of the Year and is nominated again this year.  And La Mafia, 4-time Grammy Award Winner from Houston, will end this spectacular night of entertainment!

Tickets start at $25!

Tickets available online at TicketMaster.com, at all TicketMaster outlets including participating Fiesta Food Marts and participating Wal-Mart’s.  To charge tickets by phone call 800-745-3000.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
First Fight at 6:00 p.m.