'Friday Night Fights' returns to Diamond Center

The business side of boxing has derailed more than a few promising careers.

Sadly, a boxer’s talent level isn’t the only qualifier for success. He often needs to navigate the treacherous financial and political waters in order to keep his career on the right track.

“Vicious” Vivian Harris (29-3-1, 19 KO) was at one time one of boxing’s most promising junior welterweights. The hard-nosed Ghana native (now fighting out of Brooklyn) turned pro in 1997 after a stellar amateur career and promptly won his first 16 bouts. He drew a great deal of interest, due to his blindlingly fast hands and power from multiple angles.

Harris quickly built himself into a title contender, winning his first world title in 2002 — a second-round destruction of Diosbelys Hurtado. He went on to defend that WBA junior welterweght belt three times, including two terrific bouts against top-flight German fighter Oktay Urkal — both on Urkal’s home turf.

A KO loss to Carlos Maussa ended his reign, but three strong victories over world class opposition (including Stevie Johnson and Juan Lazcano) put Harris in the title hunt, once again. However, Harris was turned away by a vicious Junior Witter left hook in round seven.

Harris’ career would never be the same after that moment on Sept. 7, 2007. He dropped his guard in an attempt to get Witter to abandon his awkward style and go toe to toe with him, but Harris paid the price.

Harris was also knocked around outside the ring. A rift had developed between Harris and long-time promoter Gary Shaw, as the two didn’t see eye to eye on what kinds of fights Harris should be taking — and how much he should be getting paid for them.

Harris has fought only once since his KO loss to Witter — an uninspired win over unheralded Octavio Narvaez. Harris was in serious trouble early in that fight, finding the canvas twice in the opening round, but eventually outclassed the inexperienced Navarez.

Yet Harris’ inactivity has developed into a major issue.

He eventually split with Shaw this summer after a deal to face hot-shot prospect Victor Ortiz on HBO fell through. Depending on who you ask, either Shaw couldn’t get Harris a suitable chunk of the purse, or Harris’ financial demands were unreasonable.

Now, with a freshly signed deal with Golden Boy Promotions in place (official as of Aug. 3), Harris hopes to lift his career off the mat and reclaim his spot back near the top of the 140-pound class.

Harris will face young Mexican fighter Noe Bolanos (20-4-1, 12 KO) in the ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” main event at the Desert Diamond Casino.

Bolanos’ career started with fireworks, as he won his first 19 pro bouts. However, Bolanos has struggled mightily the last two years, going 1-4-1 in his last six fights.

On the undercard

Philadelphia phenom Danny Garcia (13-0, 8 KO) is one of Oscar De La Hoya’s most prized prospects. Since turning pro in November, 2007, Garcia has been featured on many of Golden Boy’s most high-profile events.

The 21-year-old Garcia is among the most promising young welterweights in the business, thanks to an eye-opening amateur run and and knockout power from either hand. His opponent in the eight-round co-main event is still to be determined.

A few familiar faces from the last DDC fight card (June 26) will be back, as well. Hard-hitting heavyweight Deontay Wilder (6-0, 6 KO) has never been pushed past the second round — and that was in his first pro fight.

Wilder has ended five bouts in a row inside of one round. He’s an tall, lanky, charismatic heavyweight with loads of potential, if not the most precise boxing skills. He’ll face Travis Allen in a four-round fight.

Fellow heavyweight prospect Seth Mitchell (12-0-1, 7 KO) will also return to Southern Arizona. Once an All-American linebacker at Michigan State, knee injuries derailed a potential NFL career. Three years ago, he picked up boxing and took to the sweet science quickly. He’ll face Andrae Carthon in a scheduled eight-round bout.

Tucson’s own Anette “Netta” Agredano (1-1, 1 KO) opened some eyes in her last appearance at the Diamond Center, and hopes to keep her local fans happy as she squares off with Allison Cole out of Phoenix in a four-round featherweight clash.

Keith Thurman (9-0, 9 KO) ran his knockout streak to nine fights his last time in Tucson. The 154-pound prospect looks to make it 10 in a row against Travis Hartman.

Also on the card: Tucson’s Joshua Renteria (15-3, 9 KO) versus Karim Mayfield (9-0-1, 6 KO), Tucson’s Robert Sockwell (2-1, 2 KO) versus Martin Vierra (4-2, 1 KO) and Jessie Vargas (5-0, 2 KO) versus TBD.

Doors at the Diamond Center open at 6 p.m. with the first fight taking place at 6:30. ESPN2 picks up the broadcast at 7 p.m.

Check www.gvnews.com throughout the week for pictures and blog entries for this week’s fights at Desert Diamond Casino.

Wednesday: Open workout.

Thursday: Weigh-in.

Friday: Fights, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747