MIAMI, Florida, (CMC) - Guyana-born world junior welterweight champion ‘Vicious’ Vivian Harris has changed his mind about a rematch with Oktay Urkal and has demanded a fight with one of three prized fighters.
In a recent interview, Harris and his promoter Kathy Duva stated that they were unable to secure a fight with a ranked contender in the United States and would consider a rematch with Urkal, whom he beat on a majority decision in their first bout last April and the only serious contender willing to fight.
“I’ve decided not to go back to Germany to fight Urkal in September because I’m the champion and fighting Urkal does nothing for my career,” Harris told Fightnews.
“I already fought him, so things should be in my favour this time around and I should get what I want, and what I want is to fight Ricky Hatton, Floyd Mayweather or Miguel Cotto! I want to defend my title against these guys and I guarantee you that I will stop any one of them within six rounds!”
Harris, a Brooklyn resident, is currently training in Florida under the watchful eye of his father, Herman.
“I’ve never changed my mind about a fight before in my life, but in this case, I have to because it just isn’t a good career move for me,” Harris said.
“I already proved myself in Germany and there should be no reason for me to go back there again. I’m the champion! Guys should be coming to the States to fight me! But I’m willing to go to England to fight Hatton, and I’ m willing to go to Puerto Rico to fight Cotto, just to prove that none of these guys is as tough as people think.”
Harris was elevated to the position of the sole holder of WBA 140-pound title, after the sanctioning body stripped undisputed world junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu of their ‘Super Champion’ title.
Harris won the regular title from Diosbelys Hurtado four years ago by scoring a stunning second round TKO and then defended the belt last July against the undefeated Souleymane M’baye of France and Urkal.