Harris steps up preparations
- commences training at Gleason's
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
September 1, 2002
Junior welterweight world title hopeful `Vicious' Vivian Harris will tomorrow step up preparations for his October 19 world title challenge against World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Diobelys Hurtado.
Harris will commence sparring at the world famous Gleason's Gym in New York.
In a telephone interview from his Brooklyn home yesterday Harris said that in the interim he will sparring eight rounds every other day but will intensify sessions as the fight draws nearer.
Harris will attempt to follow in the footsteps of fellow Guyanese Andrew `Six Head' Lewis when he challenges World Boxing Association and International Boxing Association junior welterweight champion Diobelsys Hurtardo of Cuba.
"By October 1 I'll be doing around much more that. I train very hard. I love to train. It's something that I'm accustomed to," Harris said.
The Guyanese said that he is training three times per day as he is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for honours. "I jog for about six miles each morning. Then I go to the gym from 1.00 pm to 3:30 pm. From 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm it's condition training which deals with weightlifting. I can say that my preparation for this fight is coming on very good," Harris said.
The 5' 11" fighter said that he is now just five pounds off the 140-pound junior welterweight limit. "I never had a problem making junior welterweight and it will not happen now."
The 24-year-old Guyanese has only been defeated once in 24 fights. He has drawn one bout and won 16 by knockout.