`Vicious’ Vivian Harris has pulled in compatriots Shawn Garnette and Troy Blackmoore as sparring partners leading up to his July 12th title defence against Frenchman Souleyman Mbaye and is making it clear that he will go the extra mile in order to retain his title.
The WBA junior welterweight champion started sparring last week Monday at the world famous Gleason’s Gym in New York under the eye of Lennox Blackmoore and vowed to go “in the gutter” if that is what it takes to defeat Mbaye.
“I love Guyana and would not let you down. I’m confident of winning this fight and will keep my title even if I have to dig down in the gutter to do it,” Harris said.
“I’m taking it one day at a time. I’m confident of winning this one,” he added.
The July 12th bout will be Harris’ first defence since winning the title in stunning fashion after knocking out Diosbelys Hurtado in round two last October.
The `Vicious’ One, who at age 24 became the youngest Guyanese to win a world title, defends his title on a card which includes the Vernon Forrest versus Ricardo Mayorga contest.
Former IBF Zab Judah challenges WBO junior welterweight champion Demarcus Corley in the main supporting bout of the card.
The two fights will be televised live on Home Box Office (HBO). However, the Harris/Mbaye contest did not find favour with HBO and will not be televised.
“Being on TV or not cannot make me win the fight. My only disappointment is that the people in Guyana would not get to see me in action. They will miss out on all the excitement.”
“I’m confident but I’m not over confident. We have been watching the tapes of Mbaye. He is a good fighter but I’ll be too strong for him. Regardless of how serious he is taking this fight he will end up the loser,” the Guyanese said.
The Frenchman is undefeated in 27 fights while the hard-hitting Harris has lost once in 24 fights. Harris and entourage leave New York on July 8 for Las Vegas.