Gleason’s abuzz as history beckons
By Orin Davidson in New York
Stabroek News
October 16, 2002
The talk around Gleason’s gym is about making history and everyone is anticipating two world title wins in a week when Guyana’s Vivian Harris challenges Diosbelys Hurtado for his World Boxing Association junior lightweight crown in Houston Texas on Saturday.
The atmosphere in the most famous gym in Brooklyn, is rife with joy following Wayne Braithwaite’s capture of the World Boxing Council (WBC) cruiserweight title win over Vincenzo Cantatore last Friday in Italy.
And his compatriot Harris is confident of following hot on the heels of his compatriot and gym mate and intends to make it two titles in one week for Guyana.
“This fight is like any other fight for me, I am always very confident of winning but notoverconfident on this occasion,” 24-year-old Harris told Stabroek Sports after his penultimate workout at Gleason’s on Monday.
“I know how important it is as a Guyanese to win another world title and it will be especially important if two fighters from the same country and same gym, Gleason’s, can do it in a week,” Harris added.
His trainer Lennox Blackmore was even more emphatic when asked about the significance of the accomplishment. “As soon as he heard Wayne had won he said, I’m next and I honestly believe he can do it,” said the former world title challenger.
“I have trained three months and I am not going to let reputation get in the way, I am going to fight a boxer just like myself, I don’t’ care who he is or where he is from,” Harris said when asked to comment on Hurtado’s credentials as a product of the famous Cuban amateur programme.
“I am focused and I promise I will make Guyana proud once again,” he added.
Blackmore who has produced a world champion in Mexican Julio Cesar Green, said Harris reminds him a lot of the former.
Vivian is obsessed with training, he never stops and that is the makings of a champion, the former Common-wealth lightweight champion said.
“I am certain he will beat Hurtado. We know what his style is and will beat him at his own game,” Blackmore added.
Harris will have the benefit of his father Herman at ringside and explained he is now inspired like never before.
Herman Harris, who arrived in the United States last week, said he has never seen a fighter as intense as his son and expects Vivian to make it second time lucky for the family.
Vivian Harris will be aiming to go one step further than his brother Wayne and win the world title for the family of boxers.
“I remember that time and it makes me even more determined,” said Vivian in reference to his brother’s unsuccessful challenge for the WBA middleweight crown in 1995.
“He is like a terror in sparring and impresses me a lot,” promoter/trainer Herman Harris said. Without a doubt he looks good enough to bring home the bacon.”
Former world rater Reginald Ford envisages a close fight which can go either way.
“Both men can fight and it could well be decided in the latter rounds when stamina and determination come into play,” he said, adding “Vivian will have to stamp his authority early and beat his man at his own game.” The 12-round bout will be televised live via Showtime channel from 10:00p.m. on Saturday.
The United States-based Cuban, Hurtado will be making the second defence of the title.