|
World Boxing Federation
Intercontinental Heavyweight
Champion Amir “Hardcore” Mansour
is in for s stiff test when he
makes his second defense of his
title against perennial
contender Maurice Harris on
Friday August 23 at the Dover
Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover,
Delaware.
Known for his thunderous
punching-power, the undefeated
WBF Champion (18-0, 14 KOs)
recently expressed frustration
that top-ten contenders have
been unwilling to get in the
ring with him, saying:
“We’ve offered to fight anyone,
and they simply don’t seem to
want to fight someone that is
obviously as dangerous as I am.
But I hope when the fans around
the country see me fight they
will really want to see what I
can do against the best in the
world.”
The fight, and the entire
undercard, will be streamed live
and on demand by
www.gfl.tv
In Harris, Mansour will be
facing his careers most
experienced and skilled
opponent, and someone who has
faced several former and future
world champions. A deceiving
26-17-2 (11) professional ledger
doesn’t do the East Orange, New
Jersey man justice, as he has
fought most of his career
without protection of a major
promoter.
Harris made his grand arrival on
the scene in 1996 by upsetting
then undefeated contender David
Izon (18-0). In 1997 he knocked
out another big name in Jimmy
Thunder (32-7), before losing a
highly controversial split
decision to the legendary Larry
Holmes, a bout most ringsiders
felt Harris deserved to win.
In 1999 Harris beat former world
title-challenger Jeremy Williams
(34-2), and in 2002 he
underlined his capabilities by
knocking out then undefeated
future world Heavyweight
Champion Siarhei Liakhovich
(16-0).
Still competing at top level,
Harris won the USBA title in
2010 against Nagy Aguilera
(16-3), and defended that belt
in 2011 with a stoppage of
Derric Rossy (25-4).
Following a split decision loss
to former world title-challenger
Albert Sosnowski (46-4-2) last
year, Harris returned to winning
ways this past May when he
travelled to Pennsylvania and
decisioned Jason Bergman
(20-9-2), a man coming off
eleven straight victories.
While he is known to at times
blow hot and cold, on his best
day Maurice Harris can compete
with the best in the world. Amir
Mansour has been screaming for a
proper challenge, and could very
well get just that on August 23
in Harris.
|
