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Photos © Natasha Chornesky/SaddoBoxing
In the co-main event to the Shane Mosley – Luis Collazo bout at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Saturday, Guyana native Vivian Harris scored a close 114-113, 115-112 (twice) unanimous decision over Californian Juan Lazcano in a WBC Light Welterweight Title Eliminator. Harris bravely fought off a determined effort from from Lazcano to earn the victory and the right to challenge WBC Champion Junior Witter.
The opening round was a tentatively fought by both men, with no one really wanting to take the lead and both looking to counter. With Lazcano perhaps wary of the Brooklyn resident’s long, strong right hand, Harris was slightly busier to take the opening stanza.
Lazcano landed a straight right hand in the middle of round two that got Harris’ attention, prompting “Vicious” Vivian to open up and find the range on two big right uppercuts that had the crowd roaring. Harris punctuated the round with a straight right hand.
Lazcano wisely took the fight to the inside in the third frame, instantly having success by digging to Harris’ lean torso and backing him up to take the round.
It was evident by the middle rounds that which ever fighter was able to impose their style was going to win the fight. Lazcano often found success when he was able to work his way inside Harris’ long punches, while Harris’ clear advantage was boxing Lazcano from a distance.
The bout had a nice ebb and flow as Lazcano looked to be imposing his will, getting inside on Harris until the Brooklyn man stepped it up in the seventh and let his hands to go to have Lazcano reeling backwards.
Lazcano regained control of the fight in rounds 8 through 10, forcing his way inside to get his head on Harris’ chest and pound away at the body, with referee Tony Weeks ignoring numerous shots that appeared to stray low and had Harris looking for some help.
Just when it appeared that Lazcano, 37-4-1 (27), had taken over the grueling fight, Harris, 28-2-1 (18), wisely chose to get on his bicycle, box from a distance, and consistently land his jab to keep the tiring Lazcano away in the final two rounds. Lazcano’s strong efforts in the mid rounds apparently used up much of his reserves as he was clearly too tired and no longer able to work his way inside.
A point deduction that was perhaps overdue was assessed to Lazcano for low blows in the twelfth and final round, and coupled with Harris clearly winning the final two rounds, sealed the fight and a shot at a title bout for Harris.
In other undercard action, Australian Billy Dib kept his undefeated record intact with a 100-90 (all three judges) unanimous decision over Mexican veteran Carlos Contreras. Dib displayed good ring generalship and punch variety to up his record to 15-0 (9), while the game Contreras falls to 20-13-3 (13).
