LOS ANGELES, CMC – Vivian Harris contends that he will be the only boxer with the moniker “Vicious” standing, following his non-title fight over 10 rounds with Victor Ortiz on September 18 at the Staples Center.
The former World super middleweight champion from Guyana has accused Ortiz of lacking courage, after the Mexican appeared to quit in a fight against Marcos Maidana last year.
Harris has openly questioned Ortiz’s will to fight, although his opponent has strung together three straight wins since the loss to Maidana.
“I am very determined, and nobody is going to stop me, especially no Victor Ortiz,” said Harris in a media conference call on Wednesday. “He has a lot of talent, but you have to believe in yourself and I don’t think he does.”
Harris added: I’m a fighter. I know about digging deep in there. Sometimes in the ring, you’re gonna die; you gotta dig deep. I don’t think he has that kind of mentality.”
Harris and Ortiz will feature on the undercard of the superfight between “Sugar” Shane Mosley and Sergio Mora.
Harris, aged 32, holds a ring record of 29 wins, including 19 knockouts, four losses, and one draw. He is trying to keep his career in the sunshine, but he will have his hands full with Ortiz.
The 23-year-old is 27-2-1 with 21 KOs, and is ranked at No.1 by two of the four major sanctioning bodies.
Harris’ last major victory came three years ago, when he won a points decision over Juan Lazcano.
He has visited the ring only three times since Junior Witter put him away in seven rounds in a title fight the same year, so it’s difficult to assess his current form.
“I’m a sharp shooter,” said the Brooklyn-based Harris. “You know what I mean? My sharp shooting is definitely going to land.
“And I know once I land, he has to question himself. He better hope he doesn’t get flashbacks.”
Promoter and former World champion Oscar De La Hoya indicated that the fight has all the makings of a classic match-up.
He concluded: “It’s going to be a great fight between two warriors. It has the potential to steal the show because of their styles, how much each one wants it and what both have gone through to get here.”
