Born June 17, 1978 in Georgetown, Guyana (Africa) Vivian Harris was seduced by the boxing game at an early age. A track & field and soccer standout as a child, Vivian was introduced to the sweet science by his father, a fight promoter, and his brother, an amateur boxer.
Once, while watching his brother get pummeled by an opponent, an overzealous Vivian jumped into the ring to try and help his sibling. The boys’ dad held Vivian back but knew the fire was lit.
Despite the protestations of his mother, Vivian made his in-ring debut at the age of twelve. Resorting to hiding his gear from his mom, the young fighter took odd jobs such as shoveling snow to pay his gym dues and battled his way to the Guyana National championships and upon arriving in the U.S., the 1997 New York Golden Gloves.
Eventually, his mother found out that he was fighting behind her back and locked him out of the house. Forced to live with family and friends, Vivian soon discovered that his girlfriend was pregnant with his first child. It was then that he knew that boxing was no longer just a passion but a means of survival.
Turning pro on November 4, 1997 at the tender age of nineteen, Vivian beat his first opponent, Levi Long, via 4th round KO. Soon signing with Main Event Boxing, everything was looking up for Harris. A new baby, a new career, and reconciliation with his mother. Then tragedy reared its ugly head.
A week before a scheduled televised fight on ESPN2, Harris was accosted by a robber outside a store. Rather than give his money up to the thief, Vivian fought back and was stabbed in the stomach.
Clinging to life. Harris’ boxing career seemed a million miles away. Doctors said that Vivian was literally five minutes away from death. They said that he would never fight again. To make matters worse, the relationship with the mother of his child ended.
It was then that he found the love of his life, who nursed him back to health and helped him resume his road to greatness. Taking control of his career, Vivian ignored the critics and stepped back into the ring, knocking out his very first opponent.
With animal instinct and razor-like precision, Vivian earned the nickname “Vicious” as he plowed through the competition, garnering number one contender status at the age of 23. His dreams were realized on October 19, 2002, when he beat Diobelys Hurtado to capture both the IBA and WBA World championships.
After a successful two-year reign, Harris was eventually unseated by Carlos Maussa but remains one of the top ranked fighters in the world. With a record of 29-3-1 and 19 KO’s, “Vicious” Vivian Harris has his eye squarely on current light welterweight king, Manny Pacquiao, vowing to once again sit at the top of the boxing mountain.