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Just 2 1/2 years ago, Vivian Harris was among the top 140-pounders on this planet. He was WBA champion, sharing the stage with fellow titleholders Arturo Gatti (WBC), Miguel Cotto (WBO) and Ricky Hatton (IBF).
There were whispers of a possible unification bout with Cotto. On several occasions, Hatton was mentioned as a potential dance partner.
Everything was looking up for Harris. Then, in a flash, it all came crashing down.
His next opponent was Carlos Maussa, who possessed a good chin and decent power. It was supposed to be a tune-up for Harris, a chance to showcase his multiple ring skills. But he had other intentions.
The fight was part of an HBO pay-per-view broadcast that featured Gatti defending his title against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Harris saw it as an opportunity to steal the spotlight.
Rather than rely on his superior boxing skills to outclass Maussa and come away with an easy decision, the champion opted to go for broke -- and hopefully register a knockout in the first or second round. It would be the worst decision of Harris' career.
He not only failed to get the knockout, but after expending much of his energy early was stopped in seven. Forced to start over, Harris would earn a shot at the WBC version of the title Sept. 7, 2007, only to suffer a similar fate -- champion Junior Witter would stop him in seven.
Such setbacks devastate most fighters, but Harris has refused to close the book on his career. In fact, the South Orange resident has started a new chapter, and in it a title beckons. The title, however, that Harris covets isn't at 140 pounds; it's at 147.
The extra pounds have done wonders for Harris physically and mentally. At Hall of Fame Boxing Center in West Paterson, where he trains, Harris' punches have a lot more snap and his stamina is a non-issue.
"I have a lot more energy in me at 147 pounds," said Harris, who is 28-3-1 with 18 KOs. "I don't have to struggle to make 140 anymore. I can conserve energy and strength. And I have a great trainer, a great teacher."
147 JUST GOT BETTER. i think harris could do big things at 147.
There were whispers of a possible unification bout with Cotto. On several occasions, Hatton was mentioned as a potential dance partner.
Everything was looking up for Harris. Then, in a flash, it all came crashing down.
His next opponent was Carlos Maussa, who possessed a good chin and decent power. It was supposed to be a tune-up for Harris, a chance to showcase his multiple ring skills. But he had other intentions.
The fight was part of an HBO pay-per-view broadcast that featured Gatti defending his title against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Harris saw it as an opportunity to steal the spotlight.
Rather than rely on his superior boxing skills to outclass Maussa and come away with an easy decision, the champion opted to go for broke -- and hopefully register a knockout in the first or second round. It would be the worst decision of Harris' career.
He not only failed to get the knockout, but after expending much of his energy early was stopped in seven. Forced to start over, Harris would earn a shot at the WBC version of the title Sept. 7, 2007, only to suffer a similar fate -- champion Junior Witter would stop him in seven.
Such setbacks devastate most fighters, but Harris has refused to close the book on his career. In fact, the South Orange resident has started a new chapter, and in it a title beckons. The title, however, that Harris covets isn't at 140 pounds; it's at 147.
The extra pounds have done wonders for Harris physically and mentally. At Hall of Fame Boxing Center in West Paterson, where he trains, Harris' punches have a lot more snap and his stamina is a non-issue.
"I have a lot more energy in me at 147 pounds," said Harris, who is 28-3-1 with 18 KOs. "I don't have to struggle to make 140 anymore. I can conserve energy and strength. And I have a great trainer, a great teacher."
147 JUST GOT BETTER. i think harris could do big things at 147.
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