VIVIAN HARRIS

updated February 20, 2007

Former and future world boxing champion Vicious Vivian Harris, like so many young men, learned his best lesson from adversity. When, for a combination of reasons, the now 28-year-old junior welterweight from Brooklyn (by way of Guyana) lost his world title to Carlos Maussa, Harris put his career on pause.

It was time, Harris decided, to put childish things away, to truly become a man and to display that maturity in and out of the boxing ring. Where Harris used to hurl invective and insults towards prospective opponents, he now speaks with a quiet confidence and resolve. And Harris, who faces unbeaten Mighty Mike Arnaoutis on HBO "Boxing After Dark" on July 29, wants to let his in-ring performance speak for itself.

One small but instructive example of Harris' new attitude came on June 17, his birthday. On his festive day, there was no cake, no party. Instead, manager Jose Nunez, returning trainer Lennox Blackmoore and the fighter spent three hours in steamy Gleason's Gym preparing for the crucial fight with Arnaoutis. There was not a champagne bottle in sight.

"I have matured," the ex-champ said. "I could run my mouth about Ricky Hatton, about Miguel Cotto and all the rest. But I have a job to do on July 29 at the Chumash Casino when I fight Arnaoutis. I never watched tapes of opponents before but I have watched 10 tapes of this guy. He's a great fighter, undefeated, and coming up the ranks. I take nothing from him. But he is moving up into the championship league now.

"I'm thinking about the future of my two kids now. This loss will make Arnaoutis a better fighter over time. My title loss happened for a reason. I have my team together completely now with Lennox and Jose. Jose has been with me as a friend from Day One but now he is the manager. And I have a new promoter."

Harris is promoted by Gary Shaw and it was Shaw who made the tough match which will air as a main event on the "Boxing After Dark" program.

"I could say this and that about Hatton, about Cotto, but why? I am truly focused on Mike Arnaoutis. If I don't get past him, I won't get nowhere. I know that. He may not be a household name but he is a good fighter. You don't get freebies on HBO. "

Blackmoore, who has moved to Las Vegas for final preparations with Harris, thinks this is a good test for his boxer.

"We'll spend a month in Vegas," Blackmoore said. "This guy has the perfect style for Vivian right now. His weight is no problem. He is working very hard because he knows what is at stake here. Vivian's forte is boxing and counterpunching. His only loss came when he got away from doing that. We can talk about Cotto and Hatton after this fight. Right now, we have a job to do."

"I can have,: Harris said softly, "my birthday celebration after the fight. A party delayed is not a party denied but I must have proper priorities. It's like Mike Tyson said, 'Old too soon, smart too late.' I am placing my business first for my family, my team and for myself. I think you will see a decided difference in how I fight."

Nunez, a Brooklyn music and real estate mogul, likes Harris' temperament.

"People forget the mental aspects of boxing," Nunez said. "Vivian is an intense person, an emotional person sometimes. Now he feels as though he has Lennox handling the gym and me handling his business so he can concentrate on what he has to do."

As far as a manager of Arnaoutis labeling Vivian "a girl's name," Nunez chuckled.

"Last time Vivian heard that I think he fell out of his crib. Who writes her material? We will see how they like this 'girl' when the opening bell rings."

Nunez also handles the ring career of sizzling, unbeaten junior lightweight contender and former 122-pound champ, Joan Guzman.