"It was real competitive and we went back and forth. He seems to be back in a comfortable spot with Ann and everything. Me and Ann got a lot of respect for each other. She is real good people and it seems like, right now, we're going to be able to help each other a lot being that we're from the same area. We put our pride behind us and we're willing to help each other out. Me and James Kirkland got some good work in...we have a great deal of respect for each other, but it's more of a respect thing now than before," stated middleweight Bryan Vera as he talked about the sparring he's been doing with James Kirkland as they both get set to return to the ring on June 24th. Check out what else he had to say!
PC: How are you doing, man?
BV: Everything is good, man.
PC: You and James Kirkland recently sparred. How did that go?
BV: It turned out good, man. It was real competitive and we went back and forth. He seems to be back in a comfortable spot with Ann and everything. Me and Ann got a lot of respect for each other. She is real good people and it seems like, right now, we're going to be able to help each other a lot being that we're from the same area. We put our pride behind us and we're willing to help each other out. Me and James Kirkland got some good work in.
PC: I know you have a fight coming up. Does he have one as well or is he just in the gym putting in work?
BV: Yeah man, it's funny because he's fighting on the same show that I'm fighting on. They haven't even posted it on Boxrec yet, but they gonna put him on the same exact show in Texas on the 24th. So we're getting our work in. I'm not fighting a southpaw, but it's still good to be in there and be competitive with someone that has the same goals, you know what I'm saying?
PC: Good work is good work and it seems like you two go at it.
BV: That's it. And it used to be more like a fight. Now we're still in there working because we have a great deal of respect for each other, but it's more of a respect thing now than before.
PC: Yeah because you have sparred him before in the past, right?
BV: Oh yeah, we used to work a lot in the past. It used to be us just going at it. And we're still competitive because everybody is trying to win something, but it's more of a respect thing and we talk to each other afterwards where before, it was get in and get out. It's more of a team thing now. We are both on different paths at this point, so it's not like we're trying to fight one another. At the end of the day, we both have our goals.
PC: How are you feeling for your upcoming fight on the 24th?
BV: I feel great. It's hard to get ready for...I mean, the training is easy, but I'm always getting ready for a 10-rounder and now I'm over here getting ready for a 6-rounder, but I'm pretending like I'm getting ready for a 10-rounder. I'm gonna be in great shape and I want to look good and be impressive in there.
PC: How many fights would you like to get in this year? You've had one against Mora and you're fighting on the 24th. How many more this year?
BV: I told my manager I would have liked to be fighting already. I wanted to get at least 4 fights this year. Hopefully I can get this one in and then get one in with Andy Lee in October, and then get another in at the end of the year. I definitely want to fight Andy Lee as soon as possible; especially with all that is going on.
PC: Yeah, they put you on blast.
BV: Yeah, they put me on blast (laughing). I don't know what that's all about, but I understand it's a business. But at the end of the day, me and him gotta get in that square and square up, you know what I mean?
PC: Are you gonna get more work in with Kirkland here soon?
BV: I think so, man. Ann and my trainer both like the work, so they are working on getting it back going next week I believe. We just want to get in and get that work. We're both a little heavy right now, but we're right on time, so I'm hoping to get some work in with him so we can be able to help each other out, man. I don't know how much work he was getting out there in Vegas or whatnot, but we're going to give each other all we can handle out here in Austin. I think that a lot of people think you go to Vegas and it's automatically gonna be there, but that's not the case. Everybody got their own camp set up and doing different things. Right here, we happen to just be right down the street from each other, so it would be kinda naive not to give each other help.
PC: Keep me posted on your camp. I wish you the best on the 24th and I hope you and James continue to give each other that work. Is there anything else you want to add?
BV: If you can have everyone follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/BVWARRIOR. I keep everybody updated there, and tell King Mo to text me, we gotta get some sparring in. I wish him the best on his fight on July 30th.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]