Among them is the soft-spoken but confident Vivian Harris who is scheduled to face the Cuban Hurtado for the IBA junior-welterweight crown at the end of May.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport on yesterday, the lanky Harris urged the Guyanese public to have good faith in him since he is going to bring back the title.

Harris explained that he is focused and confident in his ability since he has fought most of the best junior-welterweights around.

“I’m not predicting anything, but when the fight’s over, I will be the winner”.

The brother of former world-rater Wayne Harris and son of Herman Harris, returns to the USA today to resume training at the world-famous Gleeson Gym, where fighters like Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah and Junior Jones also work out.

Vivian, who boasts a record of 22 wins (18 knockouts), one loss and a draw, last fought on February 22 when he out-pointed Michael Clark in the latter’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Clarke was dropped four times, including twice in the opening round, but Harris explained that he lost focus in seeking a knockout win and couldn’t put him away.

The IBA inter-continental champion explained that he’d had tougher fights, with the previous encounter - against Mexican Jose Juarez, being his toughest. The Guyanese came off the canvas to win that fight by a decision.

The 23-year-old, a three-time former Guyana Under-16 champion, has one blotch on his record - a points loss to Ray Oliveira in Providence, Rhode Island. Harris described it as a hometown decision but says avenging that loss is not on his mind.

“He has suffered a couple of losses lately and I’m not looking in his direction. He doesn’t have anything I want.”

A fight Vivian would like to have is Gatti, since “he cuts so easily” but says there is no chance because they have the same handlers.

His main focus, however, is on Hurtado whom he decribes as a good fighter.

“He hits and runs around the ring a lot. He also slaps a lot.”

Harris believes that doors could be opened for Guyana and Guyanese fighters once he wins the title. He explains that he wants to see, among other things, world title fights staged in Guyana and believes he can pave the way.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who was with Harris when he earlier visited President Bharrat Jagdeo, said the Head of State was very impressed with the pugilist’s record and gave a commitment to support sport, boxing in particular.

Kumar said he will convene a meeting shortly with members of the boxing fraternity in an effort to give more impetus to the sport, and will look at having boxing coaches seconded to the Department.