The Victor Ortiz vs. Vivian Harris bout is coming up in September, on the undercard of the Sept 18 PPV headlined by Shane Mosley vs. Sergio Mora. The two fighters from this undercard match recently held a conference call to discuss the pending battle, once rumored to be in the works several years ago.
Monica Sears
Welcome to today’s call. I just want to give a quick rundown of everyone that is joining us today. We have President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya. On Victor Ortiz’s team we have obviously, “Vicious” Victor, his head trainer Danny Garcia and his manager Rolando Arellano. On Vivian Harris’ side we have Vivian, his head coach Delen Parsley, also known as “Blimp,” and his manager, Greg Leon.
Without any further ado I’m going to let Oscar give everyone the rundown on this great card we have coming up September 18th.
Oscar de la Hoya
Thank you very much, Monica. We are truly excited to be once again presenting the great lineup of fights. Obviously Saturday, September 18th is a very special day for boxing. Obviously we’ve had many events on that weekend celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day. We told that to watching the great Chavez and watching other great Mexican champions. Also, myself, I fought there on many occasions on this holiday, which has always been very special to me.
We are truly excited to be having two of the top Junior Welterweights fighting each other. Vivian Harris against Victor Ortiz will be a classic match-up of great styles. It will be a great fight; you have two warriors who will be fighting each other to see who can come out on top. I feel this fight can really steal the show come Saturday night, September 18th.
Also on the card we have Shane Mosley against Sergio Mora, which will be the headliner of the event, which obviously will be another great fight and see if Shane Mosley can rebound from a loss he had against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Also we have a special treat on the undercard, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez is fighting against Carlos “Tata” Baldomir, which will be a true test for the young fighter, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, who is now gaining a lot of respect in Mexico especially, and really having a huge following in that country.
It is truly my pleasure to really showcase great talent, 200: Celebrate and Dominate will be truly a great event, one to remember, which is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T, and DeWalt Tools.
Without any further ado I would like to introduce to you Delen Parsley who is Vivian Harris’ trainer.
Delen Parsley
Well, we’ve been working for about two and a half months just getting him prepared and getting his body ready. Vivian is looking really great. I expect this to be a great fight if Ortiz comes in and does what he’s supposed to do. I know as far as Vivian Harris, he’s ready and prepared. He’s worked hard and we still are preparing hard and he’s ready to go. He’s ready to go today.
De La Hoya
Great. It is truly my pleasure to introduce to you a fighter who I’ve seen fight many times. His last fight, obviously, was one of those fights where justice wasn’t due. He was, obviously, in the fight fighting an undefeated fighter in Mexico. Unfortunately it did end prematurely, but like we said “Vicious” Vivian Harris is a fighter who is always game to fight. He’s a fighter who wants to prove to everyone that he still has what it takes to become world champion. He’s in one of those weight classes where a win Saturday night, September 18th against Victor will obviously catapult him back to the picture.
I would like to introduce to you, with a record of 29-4, with 19 knockouts, fighting out of Brooklyn, New York, that is Vivian “Vicious” Harris.
Vivian Harris
Yes, hi, good afternoon. I would definitely like to thank God for putting me with Golden Boy and thank for Golden Boy for giving me this great opportunity. I want to thank Victor Ortiz too for taking the fight and his people for taking a fight like this.
I am definitely going to on September 18th, let the whole world know Vivian Harris always comes to fight. On September 18th the one “Vicious” is going to stand up and that’s going to be me because I’m very, very determined to stay on top and to go back on top. That’s just my goal.
I don’t think there is anyone going to stop me, especially Victor Ortiz. You know what I mean? He’s a great young fighter coming up, but I think that he has a lot of doubts when it comes to himself. I don’t really think that he’s confident when it comes to beating people, getting there, to be where he’s supposed to be.
He has a lot of talent, don’t get me wrong, but you have to believe in yourself and I definitely don’t think he does. September 18th I’m definitely going to push him to that limit because I’m coming to win, like I always do.
De La Hoya
Now, I would like to introduce to you a team that really has been doing great things. They’ve really been climbing that ladder to get into that world championship once again. That is the trainer of “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, Danny Garcia.
Danny Garcia
Hello everybody. All I’ve got to say is that we’re training hard. Victor is getting ready for a big fight because he’s going to fight his hard fight. Vivian Harris is a great fighter, experienced fighter. He’s been a former champion. It’s going to be a good fight, so we’re getting ready. We still have three more weeks to go. He’s not ready yet; he’s almost ready; he’s going to be ready. It’s going to be a good fight, like I said. I think we’re going to beat Vivian Harris.
De La Hoya
Thank you, thank you very much. He is currently ranked first by the WBA, WBO, and the IBF at Junior Welterweight. As you saw he halted Antonio Diaz in seven rounds. In his last fight he pitched a shut-out in ten rounds over the game and experienced champion Nate Campbell, May 15th.
He’s a fighter who obviously comes to fight and has heart and desire and dedication. This is one fighter that when he steps in that ring he knows he’s in a tough fight. He knows he’s in with a serious opponent and that’s what really pushes him to really excel in what he does.
I would like to introduce to you from Garden City, Kansas, but now he resides in Ventura, California, with a record of 27-2, and 21 knockouts, “Vicious” Victor Ortiz.
Victor Ortiz
Hey, thank you, Oscar. First I would like to say thank you to everyone for attending this press conference call today, and Vivian Harris for giving me the opportunity to fight against a great world champion as himself.
I’m just very prepared right now. I listen to my coaches, and as far as that goes I’m here to win. I know Vivian is trying to stop me. He just told me right now that he’s going to keep me from reaching my goals. I seem to disagree with that, but as far as that goes I’m sure we’re in for a good fight because he’s a great world champion for a reason, and I’m number one for a reason as well. I’ll be there September 18th and we’ll have a nice little dance.
Parley
So one “Vicious” must go.
Ortiz
One “Vicious” must go? Matter of fact-
Harris
One “Vicious” must go.
Ortiz
Matter of fact, I’m going to let him keep the name “Vicious” and then after I’ll just take it.
Harris
We’re going to do that anyway. We’re not listening to anything. You’re not letting us keep anything; we worked hard for this one. We’re going to earn and show you who “Vicious” really is.
Ortiz
That’s a good battle we’re going to have, huh?
Q
Victor Ortiz, what do you think when you hear Vivian Harris say that you’re talented, but that you don’t have confidence in yourself?
Ortiz
I kind of find that a little funny, but to each his own. Everyone has their own opinion, but I’m comfortable with me and I know what I’m capable of doing.
Q
Vivian, I know you’re a former world champion. I know you’re a terrific fighter. Do you look at this fight as one that you have to have if you are going to get another shot at another title?
Harris
Definitely. The kid is ranked number one, they put him at number one. I don’t think he earned it, but they put him there. So I definitely think, yes, if he’s there I need a win over him to get where I need to go. Like I said, I’m going to say it now, and I’m going to say it at the fight, he doesn’t believe in himself.
If people believe in him more than he believes in himself- And I believe in him when he fights other guys, because he is a very good fighter. He just doesn’t believe in himself. He doesn’t have the courage. That’s my goal and I know that, and he knows that. On September 18th, we’re going to see, you know what I mean?
Q
Oscar, as a former fighter yourself and a six-time world champion that whole thing, do you kind of understand what these two gentlemen might be feeling right now as far as needing a victory. Vivian is 32, and not that that’s old, but that’s at the age where people start to wonder if you still have enough left. Victor had the one loss to Maidana that he took some heat for. It seems to me like this is almost a must victory for both guys if they want to continue on to that championship fight. Do you kind of understand what they must be feeling?
De La Hoya
Absolutely, look, I obviously can’t speak for them, but first of all 32 is the new 22 today.
Harris
And 22 is the new 32.
De La Hoya
When you have two fighters who are of that caliber facing each other, yes, this is another step for both fighters. Victor Ortiz, who has already had great wins after a little set back, especially against Nate Campbell it was obviously a big confidence booster. It was a great fight; he pitched a near shut-out against a great fighter in Campbell. This fight here for him I’m sure is another step toward that world championship title he wants to get.
The same for the other “Vicious”, Vivian Harris, who again wants to get to a world title. I wouldn’t call it do or die, but it’s a fight that they really want. It’s a fight that they have to go out there and really perform. This is going to be a great showing.
Q
I have one more question for you, Oscar, if I may. Looking up and down the lineup of this card it seems to me there is a possibility that this particular fight could steal the show as far as sheer excitement and-
De La Hoya
I definitely have to agree with that. I definitely have to agree with that because of styles, because of how much they want it, because of what both “Vicious'” have gone through and because of what they have to go through to get to the world title. This is one of these fights where it can be a classic. It’s obviously up to them.
Q
Vivian, one of the questions that was asked previously was about whether or not you thought you needed to win this fight to get into position to get another opportunity to fight for one of the titles. I’d take it a step further and wonder with some of the unfortunate situations, whether it was a no contest with the head butt, or what happened with the Matthysse fight, do you view the fight not only as a must win in terms of getting another title fight, but really as a must win to really extend your career, period?
Harris
I don’t look at a fight- I look at a fight as to what type of fighter I’m fighting. I’m not thinking about a world title; I’m not thinking about nothing. I’m thinking about going in there and getting a victory. When I get the victory, I lead to Golden Boy to bring whatever they have to Vivian Harris. That’s just my goal. My goal is getting the victory. I’m not thinking about nothing.
I was champion of the world already. My goal is just to win the fight, just keep winning my fights and wherever it leads me, it leads me. My goal is just winning the fights. That’s my goal; just win the fight and whatever they have in store for me after that, that’s what it will be. My goal is to win the fight September 18th, that’s what I’m going to do.
Q
Could you tell me your thoughts about after the fight with Matthysse where the fight was stopped-and I have to tell you seeing it was maybe the worst stoppage I’ve ever seen in my career of covering boxing as well as in years of just watching as a fan-how disappointed were you that when Golden Boy tried to make a rematch with Matthysse that their side just had no interest and refused to do that based on what had happened in that fight?
Harris
Yes, because when I went into the fight, I know they took the fight because they thought Vivian Harris was finished, Vivian Harris was done. They took the fight; they thought it would be like it would be a knockout in the first two or three rounds. They saw what was happening like we were fighting, his eyes were closed, and they decided that he’s got six more rounds to go, why let this fight continue? Lets stop this fight. The people, the referees were all involved in it, but you don’t ever, ever give up a match.
Like Oscar just said when the guy asked him about how you feel, how the two of us feel. He said the right thing; he can’t answer that question because he does not know how me or Victor feel right now going into this fight. He does not know what we’re thinking; how we’re training, the extra effort we’ve put in towards it. Like I said, come September 18th it’s going to be a good fight.
Q
Victor, I heard about what Vivian has been saying about the determination to win this fight and just basically focusing on that entirely. I think you’re a pretty focused guy yourself, but I’m wondering when you look at the landscape of your weight class, it’s one of the hottest divisions in the sport. They’re trying to make the Bradley-Alexander fight, the possibility of Khan fighting Maidana who you had a fight with. Do you view this as sort of if you can win the fight against Harris, an established name, a former champion, that you will then in your next fight be set up for one of those really big fights in the weight class?
Ortiz
That definitely would be a good thing to look at, but as of right now I’m looking at just Vivian. Vivian is a great fighter. He’s a world champion for a reason and I can’t look past him. He’s definitely dangerous.
Q
How do you go about fighting an experienced guy like that? When you fought Nate Campbell in May, for whatever reason it was, Nate didn’t really throw a lot of punches. Vivian seems to be a bit more active to me when he goes into a fight. What are your thoughts about his activity level compared to what you faced with Campbell who was surprisingly non-active in that fight?
Ortiz
Everyone has a game plan until they get hit.
Parsley
I’m happy you know that. I told you the kid was a smart kid. The kid is not a stupid kid.
Q
What do you think about the preparation of Victor for Vivian Harris?
De La Hoya
We feel very confident that obviously whoever wins this fight is going to move on to maybe going into a world championship fight. We have a lot of confidence in Victor. We know he’s very talented. We know that we believe in him.
We feel that no fight is easy. We feel that every fight is a difficult fight and you never know what’s going to happen. Whatever happens in the ring is up to the fighters. As a promoter all we can do is just support them 100 percent.
Q
Danny, what do you think about the fight that Victor fought at STAPLES Center last time?
Garcia
The past is in the past. The fight with Maidana is over and we’re concentrated on Vivian Harris and we aren’t going to lose this fight. We’ll be back in the hunt for a world title again.
Q
Vivian, you obviously are questioning, you said his courage and his confidence, talking about Victor Ortiz. Can you specifically point to fights where you watched Victor, you see that his courage should be questioned and your questioning his courage is valid?
Harris
I watch all his fights. Even his last fight with Nate Campbell; I watched his fight and Nate Campbell hit him when he was on the ropes and he just winked up his eyes like, Oh my God. This thing is not even about the Maidana fight and stuff like that. That’s done, like his trainer said that’s the past. Like I said before, he has a good following, good people that are telling him good stuff, but sometimes in the ring you need more than that.
That’s just something I know. I know once you do one thing before you’re going to do it again. I’m a fighter and I know digging deep in there; sometimes you’re in the ring and you feel like you’re going to die. You’ve just got to dig deep. I don’t think he has that kind of mental state. He’s doesn’t have that kind of mental right now.
It really doesn’t matter to me, my goal is just come in and execute. I’m a different fighter than Maidana. I hit harder than Maidana. I’m a different fighter than Nate Campbell. I’m a far different fighter than Nate Campbell and the last two kids that he fought. I’m a sharp shooter. My sharp shooting is definitely going to land. I’m not worrying about it. I know once I land, he’s got to question himself. I hope he doesn’t get flashbacks.
Q
Victor, do you have a response to that? I know you said something earlier; I don’t know if you were joking or what do you have to say-?
Ortiz
I’ll see you Saturday, September 18th.
Harris
Victor, make sure we don’t get a head butt, because you might quit with a head butt.
Ortiz
Make sure you don’t head butt me because you don’t want to ….
Arellano
Listen guys, I’d like to make a comment on behalf of Victor Ortiz. You know what, we’re the type of team that doesn’t focus on another fighter’s weakness. We know Vivian Harris. We’re on a track for a world championship. We know that Vivian Harris is a wall that we need to go through. We know Vivian Harris 29 fights, 19 by knockout. We know that Vivian Harris basically has a lot to come back because of what happened in Mexico. He has something to prove. We give him nothing but the utmost respect and stuff like that, okay?
We’re not here, and we’re not going to talk about his weaknesses because his weaknesses by the mere fact that they’re weaknesses will be exposed. What we’re here to do is to figure out and how to conquer Vivian Harris and all his positive attributes.
We are a positive team here. We’re not going to say Vivian Harris is older, that he lost his last fight, bullshit. We’re expecting a six foot six tall on that day and we’re going to climb it, plain and simple.
Harris
That’s right. That’s why it’s going to be a good fight. Ortiz is ready and he’s good. It’s going to be a good fight. That’s what his team believes. He has to believe that to get a victory. You have to believe that. It’s not what you believe …. He has to believe that.
Arellano
… and unleash it on you on September the 18th.
Harris
He has to believe it. Once he doesn’t believe it, it’s not happening. Trust me, he has to believe it. He has to believe. He has to believe it. It’s got to come from his heart, from his head. He has to believe it, he does not believe that. You’re talking because I know he don’t believe that. He doesn’t believe that.
Arellano
We’re going to be ready for you guys.
Harris
Not you all, he has to be ready. Get him ready.
Arellano
Victor is going to be ready. Victor is going to beat Vivian Harris.
Harris
Now you’re talking the right stuff. He has to be ready.
Sears
Vivian, Rolando – to your corners!…Are you finished with your question?
Q
Oscar, in relation to Ortiz and Vivian; the winner of the fight you addressed that a little bit that they’re in the mix. Can you tell us where Marquez- Katsidis is, where Khan-Maidana is, and where these two guys fit in relation to those fights?
De La Hoya
Obviously yes. A win September 18th there is no doubt that both fighters can be in the mix because they belong in the mix. There’s no doubt. They’re both fighters who have the experience, who have the talent, who have what it takes to fight anybody. A win September 18th obviously makes it that much more special to fight the top 140 pounders that they’re talking about, like the Amir Khans and the guys who are shooting to be the best at 140. It’s a matter of just saving a great performance and winning September 18th and then it’s like every fighter, you win and you see bigger and better things. That’s just the way it goes.
This fight is going to be a very special fight. As you can hear both fighters are confident; both fighters are ready to go and we feel September 18th will be a very special night for boxing.
Harris
I don’t know, Oscar, only one fighter is confident.
Arellano
Oh, look it here, we have a mind reader.
De La Hoya
Thank you very much for being on the call. As you see it’s going to be a great fight, there is no doubt about it. September 18th will be a big celebration. It’s going to be a full house, I feel confident in that. We’re looking forward to a great night of boxing September 18th. Thank you.
Arellano
Train hard, Vivian, because you’re going to need it, baby.
