This Wednesday evening, October 22nd, former champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris takes the first step in his comeback trail when he takes on journeyman Octavio Narvaez (7-4-1). Harris is the headliner for the fitrst ever fight card promoted by Dignity Promotions. The cleverly titled "Knockout Knights" show will emanate from the Medieval Times castle in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Harris, still fighting at the junior welterweight limit, looks to once again recapture gold in the 140 pound division.
“I’m one fight away at this point from a world title shot, my people and I took this fight to stay busy. I don’t know much about this guy but I expect he’s coming to win and I don’t take anyone lightly, this is boxing and anything can happen nobody is an easy fight. I could fight anyone in the top ten,” said Harris.
Harris has not fought since September of 2007 when he lost a WBC title challenge to England’s Junior Witter. Harris said that night was a bad showing for him, but is no indication of his future in this business. From 2002-2005, he won the WBA belt and went on to make four successful defenses. In his quest for redemption Harris has enlisted a brand new corner, which he is planning to unveil on Wednesday. Harris has aligned himself with famed trainer Tommy Brooks and also as an assistant coach Aroz “Terrific” Gist, who works with current WBO junior weleterweight titlist Kendall Holt. Harris says that despite being a pro since 1997, that at 29 he still has a lot to learn. He looked back at his last couple of fights and noticed he was making mistakes and needed a fresh voice in his ear. Harris also stated that 140 is his weight class and that his conditioning is and never has been an issue with him.
“I’m happy to be back in the ring, also I am glad to be fighting close to home I live in Jersey now and I’m going to have a lot of support from all of my people in New York and Jersey so I’m definitely looking to put on a good show for them,” Harris.
This upcoming ten-round bout for Harris is a mere stepping stone for possible big dates to come. One of the big names out there is fellow tri-state area product Zab Judah. Judah recently has made it public that he plans on coming back down to junior welterweight. The way both men are trying to salvage their careers this fight only seems like a natural crossroads encounter.
“I’d love to make a fight happen with Zab, it definitely could happen. I’m glad he’s back at 140, that’s a fight that a few years ago was talked about, but it never happened. I always felt personally that he (Judah) was too small for welterweight. I wish him the best of luck and I’d love for that fight to be next, after he takes care of his upcoming fight. To me it makes sense, it’s a network fight, it’s a New York fight, I’d love to do it at the Garden or wherever around the tri-state area,” Harris.
The native of Georgetown, Guyana currently owns a professional record of 28-3, 1 and is not ranked by any of the major sanctioning bodies due to his 13 months of inactivity, but to him its not a concern right now. He knows that his recent inactivity is the cause of that. Harris says that at this point its just one win at a time.
“Look when I was at 140, I was the best junior welterweight in the world, and I still feel that way. There’s a lot of good fights out there and I want to be in the mix. I want big fights in 2009. I’d love a crack at the Malignaggi vs. Hatton winner. Timothy Bradley is out there too. A rematch with Witter is something I’d definitely jump at, but I would not want to go back to England to do it,” Harris.
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