Rocky Fielding takes on Brian Vera in Liverpool so we learn more about the American

The unbeaten Rocky Fielding faces the toughest test of his career in Brian Vera on Friday. Here's the lowdown on the American...

Where does he come from?

Vera is from Austin, which is the capital of Texas. He was born 200 miles north of there, though, in Fort Worth - just west of Dallas.

Thanks for the geography lesson. They make them tough in Texas don't they?

Yeeha they certainly do. Vera has proved himself to be as tough as teak. He's lost nine times in his 32 fights but he's fought at a high level and hasn't been stopped since 2008.

Who stopped him in '08?

James Kirkland, the guy who just got blasted out by Saul Alvarez. Back then, though, Kirkland was a real prospect at 23-0-0 and was a relentless and brutal puncher. 

Any other notable names on his record?

Not just names - victories! Just before the Kirkland defeat, Vera stopped current WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee in seven rounds. Lee later avenged the defeat on points on the undercard of Sergio Martinez v Darren Barker in January 2011, but it proves that Vera can operate against top-quality opposition.

But Fielding is a super-middleweight. Has Vera fought in the division before?

Yeah he's fluctuated between the two throughout his career. A fitness fanatic and a model professional, Vera seems to have no problem doing weight. His last bout was a points defeat to Willie Munroe Jr at middleweight but now he's back up at super to take on Fielding.

Will he cope being away from home?

He's only fought outside the States twice - stopping Sebastien Demeres in Montreal in Canada in June 2010 and travelling to the Ukraine for a points defeat to Max Bursak later the same year. A man of his experience shouldn't be too daunted by boxing away from home.

What do the bookies think?

They make Fielding a pretty clear favourite.

What does he think about his chances?

Suffice to say he doesn't agree with the bookies. In fact, he's been pretty disparaging about Fielding.

He is way out of his league here and so far in his career hasn’t fought anybody – also, as far as I can see, he can’t crack an egg.

Vera said: "He is way out of his league here and so far in his career hasn’t fought anybody – also, as far as I can see, he can’t crack an egg."

Ooh so it's a grudge match?

I'm not sure I'd go that far. Fielding is quite a cool customer and was full of respect for Vera on Ringside the other night.

Not to be confused with...

Vera from Coronation Street. I doubt he'd like that.

Watch Fielding v Vera, Callum Smith v Christopher Rebrasse, Tony Bellew v Ivica Bacurin and Martin Murray v George Beroshvili live on Friday night from 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1