Jay Harris: record, next fight and profile →
All that Jay Harris knew about his scheduled showdown versus Paddy Barnes last October was that he was required to travel to the Belfast hometown of the three-time Olympian. Even after his arm was raised in victory following a stunning 4th round knockout over the double Olympic bronze medalist, little was known of his next step, other that he’d earned the biggest win of his career.
Jay Harris wasn’t entirely sure of the direction of his boxing career, or how much longer he’d even stick it out at this point one year ago. The unbeaten flyweight from Swansea, Wales saw his 2019 campaign begin similarly to that of his pro debut six years prior—taking place with little fanfare, and fittingly versus the very same opponent. Little did he know it would be the gateway to the best year of his career to date and leading to his biggest opportunity as a pro.
Julio Cesar Martinez, Jay Harris Weights Photos Gallery - Ahead of the huge welterweight event headlined by four-division world champion Mikey Garcia against two-division world champion Jessie Vargas, the fighters hit the scales for the official weigh-in before entering the ring on Saturday night – live on DAZN. (photos by Ed Mulholland, Amanda Westcott)
FRISCO, Texas – Mikey Garcia came in a pound-and-a-half below the limit for his welterweight fight against Jessie Vargas, just as he did for his 147-pound debut last year. Garcia officially weighed in at 145½ pounds late Friday morning when he stepped on the Texas Combative Sports Program’s scale. Vargas, who’s about four inches taller than Garcia, came in exactly at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.
Julio Cesar Martinez, Jay Harris Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - In anticipation for the welterweight blockbuster event headlined by four-division world champion Mikey Garcia against two-division world champion Jessie Vargas, the fighters addressed the media in a press conference to discuss their preparation and predictions before entering the ring on Saturday night – live on DAZN. (photos by Ed Mulholland, Stacy Verbeek)
Martinez-Harris Face-Off, Parker & Yafai Fight Week Photos Gallery - Mikey Garcia and Jessie Vargas will clash in a Welterweight blockbuster at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas on Saturday February 29 live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK. (photos by Ed Mulholland)
Almost a month after winning the flyweight title of the World Boxing Council, the champion Julio César Martínez will prepare for his upcoming defense in the high elevation area of Big Bear, California. "King" Martinez will make the trip on Wednesday, accompanied by his coach Mauricio Aceves, with the firm intention of reaching his first defense of the title, which is scheduled for February 29 against Wales’ Jay Harris in Frisco, Texas.
Julio Cesar Martinez will make the first defense of his WBC World Flyweight title against Jay Harris at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on Saturday February 29, live on DAZN in the US and on Sky Sports in the UK.
Mikey Garcia and Jessie Vargas have vowed to deliver a Fight of the Year-level war in their upcoming welterweight crossroads bout. With a potential undercard addition comes the possibility of it not even being the best fight of the night. BoxingScene.com has learned of advanced talks in place for a flyweight clash between recently crowned titlist Julio Cesar Martinez and unbeaten contender Jay Harris. Once finalized, the fight will land on the undercard of a February 29 DAZN shows topped by former multi-division titlists Garcia (39-1, 30KOs) and Vargas (29-2-2, 11KOs), live from The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
In a fight he absolutely needed to win, Paddy Barnes couldn't have asked for a worse result. The two-time Olympic Bronze medalist and former title challenger has a tough choice to make in his young pro career as he was stopped in four rounds by Wales' Jay Harris in their flyweight heat Friday evening at Ulster Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland.