… Former world champion encourages fighters to educate themselves

MENTION the name Vivian Harris in any boxing circle and stories of his fights would spark arguments of who is the best welterweight fighter of all-time. In fact, in the world of boxing, the now 36-year-old Guyanese and former world champion is still regarded as the best fighter to ever carry the Golden Arrowhead in the sport. 

But he’s not happy.
In an exclusive Interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday from his Brooklyn, New York location, Harris spoke on several issues, primarily on how local boxers are being mistreated and taken advantage of by persons, all offering to make them a world champion.
“It’s been years since Harris has been heard of or seen in Guyana but the former champ insisted, “I like it that way but that doesn’t mean that I’m not following what’s going on and paying attention to what’s happening in Guyana. Through mostly Facebook, I talk to some of these fighters every day, offering advice.”
On October 19, 2002, Vivian Harris showed the world why his alias was ‘Vicious’ when he knocked out Diosbelys Hurtado in the second round of their 12-round encounter to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Association (IBA) Light Welterweight titles.
His victory saw him being placed in Guyana’s rich boxing history as the third Guyanese (after Andrew Lewis and Wayne Braithwaite) to win a world title. He subsequently lost those belts in June 2005 to Carlos Maussa.
“I’m doing just fine but I think the time is right (to do an interview). I’m always humble and happy with the support I still receive from my Guyanese people but what I want to see is our young fighters stop being taken advantage of, and people to honestly help them and not help to suppress them in the sport. Professional boxing is no joke and should be treated with nothing but seriousness.
There’s no place for people who know nothing about boxing,” Harris said.
Harris’ statement was made primarily to address the ‘Clive Atwell retires’ issue which sent shockwaves through the local boxing fraternity.
Atwell’s ring record stands at 12 wins (7 KOs) from 14 fights, only losing once (technical decision to Jhonny Gonzalez) and a draw.
A fallout with management and the pressure of fighting under a contract which he refuses to accept, saw the fighter who had hopes of winning a world title, walk away from the sport he loves.
“Atwell is a great fighter, he’s one of the guys I personally had an interest in because I believe he could’ve gone on to win a world title, but he too should take some blame. I remember when I heard about his fight and how much he was going to make, I told him do not take the fight and wait for the right opportunity, but I guess all he was thinking about was becoming a world champion,” Harris said.
The now 36-year-old Harris, still regarded as one of the best fighters of his generation, added, “Boxing these days is not what it used to be. Fighters need to be smart and always know what’s happening and how it’s being done, because in the end it’s the fighter who is the most important person. Fighters need to find managers whom they can trust and can look to, to always take care of them”
“I tried to talk to him, but this is what happens when bad management mess fighters up. His mind seems all made up and I wish him all the best, but I want better for my fellow Guyanese fighters and if there’s some way I can help, then sure I will, but they need to be smart and educate themselves about the sport and not always think about becoming a world champion.”
Harris opined that fighters in Guyana would do anything to get a shot at a world title, even if in the end they don’t make anything from it.
“But what happens after? What happens if you don’t win that title? What systems would you put in place? These are the things young fighters in Guyana need to start thinking. When you reach a stage in your career where the world is taking notice, you should be smart. Not everything that comes your way, you must grab, make the decisions that would benefit you in the long run,” Harris said.
Harris used now US-based fighter Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy as an example of the steps some fighters in Guyana should take.
“That kid did the right thing. He left Guyana and came to America to be on a team that knows about boxing and who wouldn’t take advantage of him.
“He’s taking his time, they are making sure he’s going on the right path and as soon as the time is right he will become Guyana’s next world champion.
“Promoters and managers in Guyana, most of them don’t give a sh… about the fighters, other than themselves and take advantage of those youths,” the former world champion said.

(By Rawle Toney)