`VICIOUS’ Vivian Harris had an amateur record of 45 victories against five defeats when he turned professional. He started a long and eventful professional career in Tunica, Mississippi on November 4, 1997. Harris only needed one round of the scheduled four-rounder to knock out Leviticus Long. The Guyanese was a 19-year-old at the time and the stoppage increased his propensity for abbreviated encounters.
Ten of his next 11 bouts ended inside the distance. Harris suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Ray Oliveria in February 2000. At age 24, he became the youngest Guyanese to win a world title.
The power-puncher was crowned World Boxing Association (WBA) junior welterweight king in October 2002 following a second-round technical knockout (TKO) of champion Diosbelys Hurtado in Houston, Texas.
The gangly orthodox boxer had three successful defences but was then dethroned by unknown Colombian Carlos Maussa via seventh-round knockout. He then secured three victories before unsuccessfully challenging Junior Witter of England for the WBC junior welterweight title.
Of the four male Guyanese to have won world titles, Harris is the only one still to have a professional fight at home. Despite losing his last two fights via the knock-out route, Harris remains active and is confident of heading back to the top.