World Boxing Association (WBA) junior welterweight champion `Vicious’ Vivian will make his first title defence in March of next year. Harris will fight Frenchman Souleyman Mbaye but no venue has yet been named.
Speaking from his Brooklyn, New York home yesterday, Harris said that he was excited by the news.
“I want to show the world that it was no fluke that I won the title. Mbaye deserve this challenge. He is unbeaten in 26 fights and is rated number one by the WBA but all of it stops there. This will be the end of him,” the champion said.
The two junior welterweights will sign contracts in January. Harris will leave tomorrow for Big Bear, California where he will be encamped. The 24-year-old champion said that the bout will be televised by either HBO or Showtime.
“We don’t have a venue as yet. The fight may even end up in France,” he added.
Harris won the WBA title in October after stopping Diobelys Hurtardo in the second round.
Meanwhile, Harris said he is yet to collect the cheque for five million dollars promised by the government.
He explained that contrary to popular belief, he has nothing against the Guyanese people but was not comfortable with the way government treated him on his return home.
“I love my people and country and I will show it every time I fight. But deep down inside I think that the government could have treated me better on my return home,” Harris said adding that he will have his trunks made with the colours of the Golden Arrowhead whenever he fights.
“That is to show how much I love my country and people. Whenever I win, it is for Guyana and my people.”