Age: 27 (12-4-79)
Hometown: East Los Angeles, California
Record: 21-0-1, 5 KOs I View BoxRec.com Official Record Breakdown
Advisor: Rolando Arellano (Co-manager of Fernando Vargas)
Trainers: Dean Campos, John Montelongo
www.sergiomoraboxing.com

Born in East Los Angeles, Sergio Mora grew up in a single-parent home with three brothers. Having grown up without a father, Mora derives his strength and motivation to achieve a better life for himself and his family from his mother Inez.  “My mom worked in a warehouse all her life yet there was always food on the table, my brothers were all drug-free and not in gangs. My mom did a great job, so now it’s time to take care of her.”

Sergio Mora started fighting at the age of fourteen and at fifteen he began competing at the amateur level. As an amateur and weighing 156 pounds, he claimed two Golden Gloves titles and two United States Regional Championship titles. He then went on to win the 2000 Western Olympic Trials which then gave him the chance to qualify in order to compete in the 2000 Olympics. “I competed in the Olympic Trials,” Mora recalls, “but I lost in the finals against Jermain Taylor. To be at that point, that’s the top of the amateur chain. I wasn’t disappointed at all.”

Mora says his nickname comes from his style. “Articles in newspapers compared me to animals, and said I ‘dart out’ and uncoil with punches. I’ll throw punches from different angles. Sometimes I’ll drop my hands or pretend I’m fixing my trunks, so I can kind of lure in an opponent. They think they can catch me off-guard. It’s a snaky way.”

Mora turned professional in 2000. In 2001, he decided to take a yearlong break from boxing. “I wanted to finish school,” says Mora. “I wanted to get my associates in administration of justice from junior college. I wanted a little security, a taste of education. Then I decided to get back into boxing. I rekindled the spirit to give it one more try, and that’s when “The Contender” came along.”

On “The Contender”, Mora was the only fighter of the sixteen to go undefeated. After defeating Najai Turpin, Ishe Smith and Jesse Brinkley, he made it to the finale where he went toe-to-toe with Peter Manfredo Jr.  Winning the bout by unanimous decision, Mora came out victorious and claimed the title of Contender Champion.

In his first fight outside of “The Contender arena”, Sergio took on Archak Termiliksitian at the Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas. After recovering from a second round knockdown, Mora went on to deliver a 7th round KO after landing a right hand that sent Archak across the ring and into the ropes.

Soon thereafter, Mora traveled to Eric Regan’s hometown of Sacramento, CA for a 10 round middleweight battle. Despite the height and reach advantage Regan had over Mora, Sergio went on to win by a lopsided unanimous decision on all three judges scorecard.

After taking some time off to concentrate on training, Sergio entered the ring again on October 16th, 2007 to fight Elvin Ayala in a 10 round bout at the Home Depot Center. Even though the fight ended with a disappointing draw for Mora, the night will not be forgotten as it became the first live fight to be broadcast on ESPN Classic.

In January, 2008, Mora was paired against the formidable Rito Ruvalcaba.  Both fighters went into the ring determined to take the other down.  After landing a combination in the 6th, Mora drove Ruvalcaba against the ropes then proceeded to land a left leaving Ruvalcaba shaky and stunned.  At 1:22 into the round, the referee stopped the fight awarding Mora with a TKO.  

Looking for his first championship fight, the undefeated Mora was matched against Vernon Forrest, who had held the WBC Super Welterweight Title since December, 2007.  Displaying smooth footwork and overall prowess, Mora showed the crowd his ability fight by consistently throwing hooks and landing jabs against Forrest.  In the sixth round, Mora landed a hard right which appeared to have stunned Forrest even further.  The ninth round featured some fast action as both fighters traded punches in the corner.  The final rounds showed Forrest appearing fatigued as his punches no longer carried his known explosive power.  In the end - Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora was the new WBC Super Welterweight champion! 

Sergio wishes to send a heartfelt thanks to all the fans who have followed and supported him throughout this incredible journey and to all those who witnessed this historic event!  In addition, he wants to thank The Contender family for their support, encouragement and most importantly this match by helping him achieve his lifelong dream of becoming world champion.