Harris retains title in Canton TV bout

Vivian Harris gained a 12-round decision over Ubaldo Hernandez for the IBA junior welterweight crown.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CANTON -- Boxer Vivian Harris from Guyana defended his International Boxing Association junior welterweight title Tuesday against Ubaldo Hernandez from Mexico City at the Canton Civic Center.
After the 12-round bout televised by ESPN2, Harris received a unanimous decision.
With a first-round knockdown by way of a short right, Harris (21-1-1) worked his ring magic to perfection as he had Hernandez (18-9-2) bleeding profusely in the late rounds.
All three judges voted 118 to 109 for Harris.
Simmons, Weber win
In a pair of four-round bouts, Shea Simmons of Kentucky won a split decision over Chad Wright from Galion, and Craig Weber from Perrysville got off the deck in round one to stop Kentucky's James Ruff at 2:05 of round two.
Simmons and Wright both are now 6-2, while Weber is 14-0-1 and Ruff 7-11-1.
The bout between featherweights Kelli Cofer from Willard and Mary Ortega from Kansas City ended in a draw.
The best bout was the 10-round battle for the IBA World Woman's heavyweight championship between Vonda Ward and Monica McGowan.
Ward now 14-0
Ward, who is six feet six inches tall, won a unanimous decision to improve to 14-0.
"She can punch and she can take a punch and yes she did hurt me several times tonight," Ward said of McGowan. "If it wasn't for my jab being a difference the outcome could have been different."
Lowellville resident Tony Nolfi presented title belts to the winners.