Harris Plans To Fight On!

Despite a disastrous stretch, former world champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris of Carlstadt isn’t ready to hang up the gloves just yet.

Harris, 29-5-1 (19 KO’s), was on the wrong end of a third round knockout to Victor Ortiz Saturday night in Los Angeles, CA as part of an HBO pay per view telecast. Against the well regarded Ortiz, Harris got dropped four times and was unable to work his way back into the fight.

Prior to that, Harris, who was once considered an elite junior welterweight, lost a controversial fourth round TKO to Lucas Matthysse. To make matters even worse, the Matthysse fight was preceded by a scary no contest against Noe Bolanos in 2009, where he left the ring on a stretcher following a grotesque clash of heads.

While Harris has been sent to the hospital after two of his last three fights and is without notable victory since 2007, he refutes any assertion that he is going to call it quits.

“People just like to talk and they don’t know boxing,” exclaimed the always animated Harris. “This is a dirty and crazy sport. I was forced to fight (at or) around 140 and I can’t make that weight anymore. I am going to continue as a full fledged welterweight and you will never see me fight below (147 pounds) again!”

He also cites the contract weight for the Ortiz fight as a major issue.

“We tried to make it at 144 lbs, give or take a pound, but his people said no.” “They wanted to call this a welterweight fight, but (if that was the case) than why couldn’t I (fight at the) weight I wanted to? I am not trying to take away anything from his victory he did what he had to do, but (the issue over the weight) is complete bulls**t.”

Although he was also stopped in the two aforementioned fights and to Junior Witter via one punch knockout in 2007, Harris believes his punch resistance will only improve in his new weight class.

“I will be stronger at welterweight” I had to lose a good amount of to make 140 and it drained me. I (spar) with heavier guys and taking their punches (has never been) a problem.”

Upon completing his mandated suspension for the knockout loss, the former WBA champion, who is still under contract with Golden Boy Promotions, will actively seek fights with a notable welterweight.