Harris to face Hurtado for WBA, IBA titles
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
August 18, 2002
Hard-hitting junior welterweight `Vicious' Vivian Harris is on the verge of joining the now long list of Guyanese to have fought for world boxing titles.
Harris is scheduled to face World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Association (IBA) junior welterweight champion Diobelys Hurtado of Cuba on October 19 in Houston, Texas.
Yesterday Harris claimed that the Cuban will have both titles at stake when they meet.
"I signed my contract two days ago and we will attend a press conference on Thursday in Texas. With both titles at stake I'll be going on all cylinders. This is a big chance for me to make my country proud," Harris said from his Brooklyn residence.
With only one defeat in 23 fights Harris put himself in line for a world title shot after winning the IBA Intercontinental title earlier this year.
"This will definitely be another title for Guyana. I'm working very hard and will continue to do so until I achieve that goal," Harris added.
The fight will be televised live by Showtime. Harris 24, said that he will prepare almost entirely at the Gleason's Gym in New York for the fight. "I'll be leaving two weeks before the fight for Texas, " he disclosed.
Former Commonwealth lightweight champion Lennox Blackmore and Delin Parsley make up Harris' two-man training team. Hurtardo, only won the WBA title in May after knocking out former champion Randall Bailey in round seven.
Six years older than Harris, the Cuban has taken Pernell `Sweet Pea' Whitaker 11 rounds before being stopped.
He has also fought undisputed world junior welterweight champion Kostya Tzsyu but folded before the sixth round. In November, 1999 the Cuban knocked out former national junior welterweight champion Guyanese Dillon Carew in the second round and seven days later drew with Ricardo Mayorga who now holds the WBA welterweight belt.