… Clash with ‘Sixhead’ Lewis also on the cards
REIGNING World Boxing Council/Caribbean Boxing Federation (WBC/CABOFE) welterweight champion Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy may get his wish fulfilled if all systems are in place at the right time. Earlier this year, the 25-year-old Hardy made a list of pugilists both local and overseas, with whom he wished to match gloves, calling it the ‘Pillow List’ and to date, he only got two of those opponents, winning via the knockout route and a unanimous decision.
Yesterday, Chronicle Sport was reliably informed of former World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Association (IBA) light welterweight champion ‘Vicious’ Vivian Harris’ intentions to face Hardy, providing the price is right.
Added to that, negotiations are in the pipeline for an upcoming contest with another former WBA champion in Andrew ‘Sixheads’ Lewis, who had defeated James Page to take the welterweight title 11 years ago, before losing it to Ricardo Mayorga one year later.
At the press conference held last Thursday in the studios of NCN Channel 11, well known promoter Herman Harris the father of Vivian said his son is willing to fight the undefeated Hardy who, to date, has knocked out seven of his opponents in his nine unbeaten professional fights.
The elder Harris had stated, “The possibility of Vivian taking on the ‘Candyman’ is a reality that can occur in the not-too-distant future. I spoke to him (Vivian) and he told me his bout for the United States Boxing Association (USBA) title, that was scheduled to take place three weeks ago, was pulled after his opponent failed a drug test.
“He is scheduled to face another opponent for the said title and if that does not come off then surely he is willing to oppose any fighter in Guyana and I think a fight with Hardy would be best for the boxing public.”
In a telephone interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday, the elder Harris said “Vivian has agreed to fight Hardy. However, he is asking for US$10 000 for the fight along with other things which I will be discussing with the president of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control sometime today.”
Harris’ record reads 29-7-2 (19 KOs) and, having won the WBA light welterweight title in 2002 when he scored a second-round TKO victory over Diosbelys Hurtado, lost it three years later to Carlos Mussa, after three successful defenses.
Lewis’ name is no stranger to any household when it comes to the fistic sport, as boxing fans and enthusiasts will remember him as the first Guyanese to win a world title, just as they can recall Michael Parris as Guyana’s lone Olympic medallist.
His manager for a number of years, Odinga Lumumba, told Chronicle Sport he has no problems with his man taking on Hardy, since he feels the matchup will be a good one for both fighters as well as the boxing public.
“However, in order for it to occur, a date has to be set while the Candyman and Team Candyman have to come forward and affix their signatures to the dotted line, as Andrew is ready for this bout,” said Lumumba.
Efforts to contact Hardy for a comment proved futile. However, the boxer did say in an invited comment following his unanimous decision victory over Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman last Friday night, that a fight against both opponents would be great for him.
“Yes I would love to fight them both. They have been at the top and they know what it takes to get there and with their experience gained from the boxing world, I think I can learn a thing or two if I face them both, so I am looking forward to meeting with them.”
There is only one thing left to do, wait and see what will occur, since Hardy is set to compete in the WBC Championships which punches off sometime in August and it will be great if he gets a chance to match gloves with either fighter before going to the Championships.