In a stunning turn of events, Vivian Harris stops Diosbelys Hurtado 43 seconds into the second round of their championship match held at The Pavilion, Reliant Park in Houston, Texas.

During the press conference, weigh in and prior to fight time, Hurtado seemed somewhat out of character to this writer. The normally composed young man from the western part of Cuba was out of control at a melee that took place at the glove selection meeting. Even his ring entrance was somehow different; the broad smile, hamming it up for the camera, the abandon with which he fought... not the Diosbelys Hurtado that we've come to know.

Hurtado has faced stiff opposition; his latest war against Ricky Quiles, after more than a year lay off, as well as his demolition of Randall Bailey in Puerto Rico certainly attest to that. The combination with which Harris knocked him down was on the money, but didn't seem all that devastating. Still, Hurtado took the count, rose in plenty of time, but couldn't coordinate the upper part of his body with the lower part, prompting referee Lawrence Cole to call it a night for the Cuban defector.

Strange things happen in boxing; I only wish SHOWTIME had taken the time to interview Hurtado, it might have helped us understand exactly what went so devastatingly wrong. Nevertheless, the WBA has a new light welterweight champion of the world, his name is Vivian Harris, and he will be hoping for a shot at Kostya Tszyu.

In other action, veteran Hector Acero-Sanchez and Rocky Juarez slowed the pace down, going the distance of ten rounds. Acero-Sanchez might have fought the last fight of his career; he showed little, his jab was rangy but soft and he never even as much as backed Juarez up during the match. Stable mate Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis was in Acero-Sanchez's corner lending moral support to the former champion.

"Rocky" Juarez was the unanimous decision winner, although his performance left a lot to be desired. He was sluggish, overly cautious and borderline boring. The officials scored it 96-94, 98-92, 99-91.

Juan Diaz and Roy Delgado rocked the house for six action filled rounds. Diaz displayed an impressive arsenal, fought intelligently, threw punches in bunches, and withstood some healthy shots before stopping Roy Delgado 43 seconds into the sixth round.

For those who feel the fight might have been stopped prematurely I say Delgado was taking a serious beatdown, (his eyes were already bruised coming into the fight), and Diaz was using his head for target practice. I commend referee Sam Garza for doing what perhaps Delgado's corner should have done. Better safe than sorry, hopefully, he'll live to fight another day.

Francisco Bojado earned his first decision victory against Frankie Sanchez unanimously. Bojado did manage to put Sanchez down in the second and seventh rounds, but was unable to finish him. The popular youngster is now trained by self-appointed best trainer in the world, Floyd Mayweather, Sr.

In closing I'd like to add that someone needs to remind Bobby Czyz that on May 10, 1996 he QUIT on the ropes against Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield. It sickens me to listen to Czyz talk about other fighters quitting, or referees stopping a fight prematurely. My last and strongest ring memory of Czyz is, and always will be him on the ropes, telling the referee: "He thumbed me, he thumbed me" and of course, he ceased and desisted immediately after the invisible thumb hit his eye.

Let's not forget how he was saved by the bell, which sounded at the 2 minute mark, against Uriah Grant in March of 1990 at the Showboat Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Czyz might have a near genius IQ but I can't hardly understand what he says, his speech is slurred, his attitude sucks and his ego has gotten the best of him. Amazing how a quitter can -among other things- criticize and question an official's judgement call in a war like the one waged between Juan Diaz and Roy Delgado.

Roy Delgado showed great courage and desire, we salute him as well as the youngster who stopped him on his tracks last night. As for Czyz, may I recommend a speech therapist and a review of the Holyfield fight tape...

10-20-02