Shane Mosley faces Sergio Mora this Saturday, September 18, in a light middleweight bout in honor of the 200th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day. The bout headlines an HBO pay-per-view event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. In the coming days, Inside Fights will preview the four fights being featured on the pay-per-view telecast. First up, Victor Ortiz and Vivian Harris in a light welterweight bout.
Victor Ortiz vs. Vivian Harris
Victor Ortiz (27-2-1, 21 KOs) must have been believing his own hype prior to his TKO loss to Marcos Maidana in 2009. How else can you explain his post-fight proclamation that he had a lot of thinking to do in relation to his future? Ortiz is only 23 years old. Now that Ortiz has had more time to absorb the loss and mature not only as a fighter but also as a man, his head seems to be in a better place. Ortiz has won his last three fights since the Maidana loss and is trying to reestablish the momentum he lost that night. Ortiz is a strong puncher with a good head on his shoulders. He certainly learned from his mistakes in the Maidana fight, namely follow the gameplan and maintain focus, so he emerged as a smarter fighter as a result. The light welterweight division is a crowded one but Ortiz may be one away from getting back into the mix of things at 140 pounds.
Vivian Harris (29-4-1, 19 KOs) has already been in the mix of things at 140 pounds. Now 32 years old, Harris is looking for another shot at glory in a division he once held a world title in for over two years. Harris has been beat down by the politics of boxing but thinks a switch to Golden Boy Promotions will revive his career. The partnership is working for Harris so far, as it has garnered the Ortiz fight on an HBO pay-per-view despite the fact that Harris has lost two of his last three fights. Harris lost controversially in his last bout, a premature stoppage against Lucas Matthysse. If Harris wants to have any shot at another title run, he can’t let this opportunity against Ortiz slip by. His window is closing fast.
Vivian Harris often finds himself the victim of circumstance, but being more aggressive in his fights would put him in better control of his own destiny. Both fighters need this win, but Ortiz will prove to be the most vicious. Expect the decision to go in favor of Ortiz. Call it 97-93.
