07.12.06 – By Matt Yanofsky: Today I had the pleasure to speak with former world champion Vivian Harris 27-2 18 KO’s. Harris has won his last two fights coming off a shocking knockout loss to Carlos Maussa. Harris is once again a top Super Lightweight and is looking forward to another title fight. Fans can chat with Vivian at Myspace.Com/ViciousVivian..
MY: Vivian Whats up, in your last fight you knocked out former champion Stevie Johnston in a fight featured on HBO. Did you feel that coming off that tough knockout loss you had to show the fans you are still a top 140 lber.
VH: Yeah defiantly but it wasn’t about showing them who I was. The fans know Vivian Harris. I just had a bad night vs Maussa. I knew I was gona bounce back I went to the gym trained hard and did what I had to do. I didn’t feel I had anything to prove.
MY: Are you still upset about the Maussa fight? I remember that was considered a major upset and a lot of fans were shocked,
VH: No, not at all had it happened and that’s just how boxing is sometimes. I was however upset about being hit while I was on the ground. If didn’t get hit while I was on the ground things would have been defiantly been different.
MY: So far you have had some big victories. You have defeated the likes of Gary St.Clair, Stevie Johnston, Oktay Urkal, and Souleymane M’baye. Which of these victories was most important to you?
VH: I would say Urkal because I beat him in Germany TWICE. A lot of fighters get robbed overseas so I felt I did a lot to win there.
MY: There were talks of you fighting Jose Luis Castillo on HBO in his first fight at 140 lbs. what is the status of that?
VH: We would love that fight I’ll fight anyone at 140.
MY: A few years back you had your eyes set on superstar Floyd Mayweather. As we all remember you called him out at the press conference for his fight with Arturo Gatti. How frusturating was it for you knowing Floyd didn’t want to fight you?
VH: It was tough, he was the mandatory for my belt and he went on to fight the unknown Henry Bruseles when he should have fought me. I can’t be mad though because he used his head.
MY: New York has many top 140 pounders such as you, Paulie Malignaggi, Edgar Santana, Gato Figueroa, and Dmitry Salita. Where do you rank yourself among them?
VH: I am number one you know the deal. I was a champion already. These guys are just young and upcoming. Malignaggi was the only one to fight for a World Title and he was defeated by Miguel Cotto. If they think there better then me, all they gotta do is ask for a fight.
MY: Vivian thanks for your time. What do you have to say to all your fans and readers of BrickCityBoxing.com and EastSideBoxing.com?
VH: I told the fans I would be back and be number one. I will be champion again!