WORLD Boxing Association (WBA) Junior Welterweight champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris, yesterday, declared that the Guyana’s first world title card would have a great impact on the country.
Harris was speaking to media at the Regency Hotel on Hadfield Street, yesterday, after arriving here with fellow World champion Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite for the historic event dubbed “The Clash in the Park” staged by Holland Entertainment Promotions (HEP).
“It’s a big step for Guyana. It’s like when (Andrew) “Sixhead” (Lewis) won the first world championship. It was a good thing what Sixhead did and then to anyone it could happen. In the same way, others will follow suit,” Harris said.
Ask how he would predict the fight between Guyanese Gwendolyn “Stealth Bomber” O’Neil and American Kathy Rivers, Guyana’s third world champion declared: “She has no choice, but to be the world champion.”
Harris said he would like to fight on local soil, but that would take time.
The champion disclosed that his next fight would be against either Floyd Mayweather Jr or Ricky Hatton in September or October, revealing the September 11 clash with Miguel Cotto in Puerto Rico was not on.
“I’ve always seen myself stopping Mayweather and after seeing his performance last Saturday night, I know I could do it. I’m stronger than him because he just moved up in weight. I have a strong right hand and he can’t take a punch.”
Harris said after his next fight, he might move from 140 lbs (junior welterweight) to 147lbs (welterweight) because he was not getting opponents in the lower weight division.
“I’ve been calling them out, but nobody responded.”
Later at the welcome reception at City Hall, Harris said he wanted to become an undisputed champion for Guyana, and not necessarily the first.
World Boxing Council Cruiserweight champion Braithwaite endorsed Harris contention of the impact the world title fight would have for local boxing.
Asked if he too saw himself fighting in Guyana, Braithwaite said: “Don King said he would promote a fight for me here, but we have to wait and see.”
Braithwaite is nursing injuries to both hands sustained in his last title defence against Louis Azille at Madison Square Garden on April 17, with the right still in bandages.
“The doctor said I was punching to hard. But I went the 12 rounds. It wasn’t hard. I proved that I could go the distance. I was enjoying myself.”
The champion would next fight Jean Marc Mormeck on the Felix “Tito” Trinidad and Ricardo Mayorga card on October 2 at a venue to be announced.
It is part of the unifying tournament promoted by Don King. Mormeck just defeated Virgil Lewis in South Africa and the winner of the Braithwaite/Mormeck clash would fight Kelvin Davis who already beat Ezra Sellers.
On the world title card here, Braithwaite’s manager Claire Small said: “It’s a good thing for Guyana, especially if O’Neil wins the fight. It will bring more such fights.”
Seon Bristol of Briso Promotions that is collaborating with HEP Promotions in bringing the champions to the historic event said his organisation wants to see the event take place and on a positive note.
“We here to promote Guyana, boxing, and ourselves as Guyanese.”
HEP Managing Director Carrwyn Holland thanked the two world champions for accepting the invitation to witness and be a part of the historic card.