BERLIN, GERMANY - Vivian Harris retained his WBA junior welterweight title Saturday, stopping Germany's Oktay Urkal in the 11th round.
Harris, in his third title defence, landed a short uppercut and Urkal pitched forward and fell stiff-legged to the canvas. He staggered to his feet, but the referee stopped the fight.
Harris, who was born in Guyana and lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., improved to 25-1-1 (17 KOs).
It was the third defense of the title he won in October 2003 against Diobelys Hurtado.
"He's a top fighter, but I was a better fighter tonight," Harris told the Associated Press. "But that's why I came back, because he was so strong the first time."
Harris won a split decision against Urkal, 34-3 (10 KOs) in April, whose only other loss was to Kostya Tszyu.
The 34-year-old Urkal, who won a silver medalist at the 1996 Olympics, suggested the defeat could signal the end of his career in the ring.
"I don't have any desire to wait three or four years for another title shot," Urkal said.
Other Action
WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe defended his crown for a record 15th time, rising off the canvas in round four to score a unanimous decision over Kabary Salem in a foul-filled brawl in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Scores were 117-109, 118-107, and 116-109 for Calzaghe, who improves to 38-0 (30 KOs). Salem, who was sent to the canvas himself in the 12th round, falls to 23-4 (12 KOs).
