It’s been a difficult past two years for Vivian Harris. Boxing politics coupled with long stretches of inactivity have plagued the former junior welterweight champion, but the proud Guyana native remains undeterred. “I still consider myself one of the best fighters in the division,” said Harris. “I have faced some adversity these last two years but I’m still determined. I’m still hungry. I am here and I will be champion again..”
The 30-year-old Harris landed in Mexico City on Tuesday for his scheduled clash with Lucas Matthysse Saturday night at the Foro Scotiabank. Harris understands how important this fight is for his career. The winner puts himself right in the mix in the ultra talent-rich junior welterweight division.
“I’m ready to go,” said Harris Wednesday evening. “I’m fully prepared for Matthysse. This is my first step back to a world title and I will not be denied.”
The undefeated Argentine puncher Matthysse has compiled an impressive record of 25-0 with 23 KOs. His clash with Harris however, represents a significant step up in class, as thus far, his perfect record has come against mostly soft opposition.
Harris vs. Matthysse will be the co-featured bout with the Ponce De Leon vs. Orlando Cruz main event.
The card will air live in Latin America on the HBO Plus service.
HOF trainer Angelo Dundee special guest at “Brace For Impact”
Brown-Grano headlines March 12 show at Foxwood
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 18, 2010) – Living legend, Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee will be a special guest at the “Brace For Impact” pro boxing card, presented March 12 by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.
The 10-round main event is a rematch between heavyweights Tony “TNT” Grano and Mark “Oak Tree” Brown. Brown (15-2, 7 KOs) overcame two knockdowns to stop Grano (16-1-1, 13 KOs), fighting out of Hartford (CT), in the eighth round of their WBF All-Americas title bout Sept. 27, 2008. Grano is the 2005 U.S. National Championships winner and National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up, and has won two in a row since suffering his lone loss as a pro to Brown, highlighted by a sensational, nationally-televised knockout of previously-undefeated prospect Travis Kaufman (18-0) last September.
Dundee, 88, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994. Best known as head trainer for Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, Dundee also worked the corner for George Foreman, Jose Napoles, Jimmy Ellis, Carmen Basilio and Luis Rodriguez.
“I’m looking forward to being at Foxwoods,” Dundee said. “I go way back with Jimmy Burchfield. When I first go to a city, I always look for a good Italian restaurant, and that’s how I first met Jimmy in Providence at his (former) restaurant (The Classic). I brought Sugar Ray Leonard there. I was in Providence two years ago for an Italian festival and Jimmy brought Vinny Paz and a lot of his good-looking fighters. It takes a lot of guts to promote today and Jimmy Burchfield is the reason boxing is still flourishing up there. He does it the right way with local kids. I’m thrilled to be a guest at his Foxwoods show.”
“My relationship with Angelo goes beyond boxing,” Burchfield noted. “We’re good friends. I don’t know if boxing will ever see anybody like him again in terms of what he did for his fighters. Not only does he know this business inside and out, I think he’s one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever met. My relationship with Sugar Ray Leonard is thanks to Angelo.
“On of my all-time favorite fighters, Willie Pastrano, was trained by Angelo. I’m thrilled to be having my dear friend, Angelo, sitting next to me at ringside on March 12th. He has been as big a personality as his fighters. Angelo never turns down a request from fans for an autograph, or a favor from promoters. His presence at our show will top off a great night.”
Also slated to be in action on “Brace For Impact” are Hartford super bantamweight “Machine” Mike Oliver (22-2, 7 KOs), reigning New England and EBA champion; Marshfield (MA) super middleweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (5-0-1, 1 KO), Long Island (NY) light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), 2008 New York Golden Gloves champion; Brooklyn (NY) welterweight Sadam “World Kid” Ali (5-0, 2 KOs), 2008 U.S. Olympian; and Hartford middleweight David Bauza (3-0, 3 KOs). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “Brace For Impact,” priced at $40.00, $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254) or Foxwoods (800-200-2882), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com, or in person at Foxwood’s box office.
For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.
THOMPSON BOXING PROMOTIONS INKS “THE KIDD” DIAZ
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION LATEST STANDOUT TO JOIN THOMPSON BOXING ROSTER
ORANGE, CA (February 18) With two world titles on his resume and the respect of the boxing world a given, Julio Diaz has already secured his place in the history books. But at 30 years old, “The Kidd” has plenty of fight left in him, and with a third world championship in his sights, he has signed with Thompson Boxing Promotions to help lead him there.
“Julio Diaz has always been one of my favorite fighters to watch, and we’re honored to now have him on the team,” said Ken Thompson, founder and president of Thompson Boxing Promotions. “He’s got it all in the ring, and he’s more determined than ever to get another world championship, so it’s going to be a fun ride back to the top.”
“I’ve been watching what Thompson Boxing has done with fighters like Tim Bradley and Yonnhy Perez, and I want to become the team’s next world champion,” said Diaz. “I feel better than ever at 140 pounds, and the fans are going to see a new and improved Julio Diaz in 2010.”
A two-time lightweight champion, Julio Diaz (36-6, 26 KOs) is an 11-year veteran of the sweet science who has been in the ring with the best in the world over that time, including Angel Manfredy, Courtney Burton, Jose Luis Castillo, Javier Jauregui, Ricky Quiles, Jesus Chavez, and Juan Diaz. Trained by his brother Joel, Coachella Valley’s Diaz entered the junior welterweight ranks in 2009, and waged a hard-fought battle with unbeaten Victor Manuel Cayo last July. Now fully rested and ready to take on the 140-pound elite, Diaz is expecting a big year.