Blackmore confident Harris will be next world champion
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
September 8, 2002
Junior welterweight `Vicious’ Vivian Harris has been creating fire works during his sparring sessions at Gleason’s Gym in New York and trainer Lennox Blackmore is confident that he will be the next Guyanese world champion.
On October 19 Harris challenges Cuban Diosbelys Hurtado for the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the International Boxing Association junior welterweight titles.
“Vivian is going to win. He is younger, stronger and faster that Hurtado. Vivian also has the power. It’s not just because I’m his trainer but I know what this guy can give,” Blackmore said from the Gleason’s Gym yesterday.
“We know that Hurtado is experienced and the promoters have Vivian as the underdog but in the end he (Vivian) will be crowned champion,” Blackmore, a former Commonwealth lightweight champion declared.
Blackmore, who became the second Guyanese to fight for a world title when he fought Aaron ‘The Hawk’ Pryor in 1981, disclosed that Harris has matured as a fighter and is very serious about the task ahead.
“I have seen a difference in his approach to this fight. He has improved in many areas and is very confident. He is a well conditioned fighter so I don’t see that playing a big part.
“Vivian knows this kid. They were in camp together about three years ago. They have sparred together,” Blackmoore said.
The 24-year-old Harris, with one defeat in 23 fights, confirmed the sparring sessions had taken place but claimed that sparring and actual fighting are vastly different.
“He is a boxer and tries to protect himself rather than fight. We have sparred before but I can’t focus on that. That was only a sparring session. This is the real thing,” Harris said.
Hurtardo, six years older than Harris and a Cuban by birth, has lost only to former WBC welterweight champion Pernell `Sweet Pea’ Whitaker (1997) and now undisputed junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu (1998) both of whom he dropped twice. He has knocked out 23 of 38 opponents.
Blackmore said that his charge is sparring four days per week. “He sparred four rounds each day during this week. He will spar six rounds each day next week and eight the following week. He will be in top shape,” Blackmore assured.