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Vivian Harris set to redeem boxing career against formidable world rater

Sep 10, 2010 Sports

After a relatively long layoff, former World Boxing Association (WBA) junior/welterweight champion, Vivian Harris is scheduled to return to the ring for a career defining bout against world rater, Victor ‘Vicious’ Ortiz on Saturday September 18 next on a Oscar De LaHoya led Golden Boys Promotions card at the Staples Center, Los Angeles.
The fight will be among several others on the under card of the Shane Mosley/Sergio Mora bout and has been labeled as a must win situation for Harris whose career has taken a nosedive in recent times.
Ortiz, who fights under the sobriquet, ‘Vicious’ has an impressive 27-2 record with 21 knockouts while Harris record reads 29-4, with 19 knockouts.  The two fighters appeared in a pre-fight press conference earlier in the week and exchanged barbs which seem to have set the pace for the fight.
Ortiz is currently ranked first by the WBA, WBO, and the IBF at Junior Welterweight while Harris sole ranking is a number 15 spot in the World Boxing Association (WBA). Ortiz also has the distinction of halting Antonio Diaz in seven rounds. In his last fight on May 15, he scored a lopsided ten rounds shut-out over the game and experienced champion Nate Campbell.
Harris rose to international fame with a victory over Diosbelys Hurtado in October 1992 which netted him the (WBA) junior/welterweight crown. He was all set for a historic defense against former British world champion, Ricky Hatton but the fight was aborted after negotiations between the two camps fell through.
Harris then went on to fight the little known Mausa and suffered a shock knockout defeat at the hands of the Columbian. His career took a downward spiral and Harris decided on a sabbatical.
Harris is now back with renewed vigor and seems to have won the confidence of De LaHoya who labeled the bout as a redeeming factor for the former champ.
“It is truly my pleasure to introduce to you a fighter who I’ve seen fight many times. His last fight, obviously, was one of those fights where justice wasn’t due. He was, obviously up against an undefeated fighter in Mexico. Unfortunately it did end prematurely, but like we said ‘Vicious’ Vivian Harris is a fighter who is always game to fight.
He’s a fighter who wants to prove to everyone that he still has what it takes to become world champion. He’s in one of those weight classes where a win Saturday night, September 18 against Victor will obviously catapult him back in the picture,” De LaHoya was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile Kaieteur Sport caught up with former local bantamweight champion, Darius Forde who was observing Harris at work for the bout at the Jackie Gleasons Gym, Brooklyn. The charismatic bantamweight feels that Harris deserves the opportunity to redeem himself after some bad experiences in the ring.
Forde pointed out that both fighters are under the tutelage of De LaHoya and the one that loses would be cast in the wilderness. “This is an all important bout for Vivian (Harris) and he cannot afford to lose,” said Forde. He also affirmed that the entire Diaspora is rooting for Harris.
The fight will be aired on Pay Per View television.

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