The disappointment in Germany is huge after Vivian Harris, the WBA light welterweight champion, pulled out of a September 4 rematch with Oktay Urkal. On April 17, Harris and Urkal had a terrific fight in Berlin with Harris winning in a close decision.
Last month Sauerland Event negotiated a return match with Harris' promoter Main Events, manager Shelly Finkel, and Harris himself.
According to promoter Wilfried Sauerland, Harris insisted on fighting September 4, so the show originally scheduled for that date was moved, as was the location since Harris demanded the fight to be in Berlin.
Sauerland also says Harris' purse was nearly doubled, everything had been agreed to and the contract had even been signed by Sauerland Event with the promise that Harris would sign the same day.
Then Harris allegedly fell out with his manager over a deposit and pulled out. Sauerland claims to have offered to pay the deposit on the manager's behalf, however the bout could not be salvaged.
Oktay Urkal's reaction and comment: "I'm terribly disappointed. I had been looking forward so much to this rematch. Our fight in April was really something! Harris and I gave a brillant performance, it was absolutely first class boxing - something you very rarely see in the ring. I'm very sad and very disappointed."
Sauerland stated "He [Harris] is making a lot of noise that everybody is scared to box him. I think he just got cold feet to fight Oktay again. This is a shame because we would have seen a terrific rematch. From now on he should stop shouting that everybody is scared of him. It's Vivian Harris who is the chicken!" (Fightnews)