World Boxing Association junior welterweight champion Guyanese `Vicious’ Vivian Harris said that his first title defence may be heading for France.
Harris said that with promoter Don King winning the purse bid France looks like the most possible venue for the fight. The 24-year-old Guyanese will battle Frenchman Souleyman Mbaye in a mandatory defence of the title he won in October last year.
Mbaye is ranked number one by the WBA. King won the purse bid which was held on February 13 at the Miami Airport Hilton Hotel. Don King Productions submitted a bid of US$ 185,012 against US$165,000 submitted by Main Events. The minimum amount was US$150,000.
King later gave Washinton DC, New York and France as possible venues for the fight. He had 15 days from the date of the purse bid to submit official communication to the WBA saying what the definitive venue will be.
The title bout has to take place no later than 90 days from the date of the purse bid. Harris also said that the tentative date of April 4th was no more.
He expects “that everything” will be clarified by this Thursday. “It’s looking more like France everyday but I’m not worried. “Right now I’m not worrying my self about where this fight will be held. They could keep it anywhere,” the WBA champion said.
Should the title defence be held in Europe it will be the first time that the hard-hitting Harris fights outside his adoptive homeland (USA) since turning professional in 1997.
“After taking care of Mbaye I’ll become the mandatory challenger for Kostya Tzsyu,” Harris added. The gangly fighter snatched the WBA title after a second round knockout of Cuban/American Diobelys Hurtardo in Texas.
Harris, who will turn 25 on June 17 had rattled up a 16-fight winning streak before securing his only professional defeat at the hands of Ray Oliveira on February 25, 2000.
Six months later he chalked up another first for his record after drawing with former world champion Ivan Robinson.