Lightweight DeMichael Harris sees himself on a different level than his upcoming opponent Anthony Cuba.
The two will meet in a crossroads fight on Wednesday at the Chicken Ranch Casino in Jamestown, California. The bout will stream on ProBox TV.
Harris sees the fight as two fighters at different points in their career as he aims to make a point on fight night.
“I am going to show that it’s a difference between a contender and a prospect, because I’m a contender and he’s a prospect,” Harris told BoxingScene. “I’m going to make him bleed and I’m going to make him quit.”
Harris, 27, trains in Brooklyn, New York. His moniker is “Triggaman,” which is derived from his high knockout ratio, which is over 90 percent with a record of 12-0 (11 KOs).
Harris feels his moment is long overdue as he had a big fight scheduled earlier that fell through.
“Basically, a year and a half ago, I tore my ACL,” Harris said.
The fight would have been on a Jake Paul undercard. Haris trains with Theo “Third” Chambers, who also trains Jake Paul. In 2024, Harris fought twice. His last outing was a third-round stoppage in December over Weusi Johnson. He is now riding a three-fight knockout streak heading into this fight.
“I am just getting back into the groove and I’m excited,” Harris said. “I’m ready to go out there and fight these other prospects and make a name for myself.”
Harris is no stranger to sharing the ring with big names. He has sparred Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis. He even fought on some of Davis’ undercards early in his career. Harris was one of the main sparring partners for Devin Haney when he became the undisputed lightweight champion against George Kambosos Jnr.
When Harris got the call to fight Cuba, he didn’t hesitate.
“We took this fight on three weeks’ notice,” Harris said. “They called and gave me an opportunity and I took it. I felt like I’m always in shape. I’m never out of shape. Once I fight, I’m always right back into the gym and I’m working on things. So, when opportunity calls, you know you got to answer the phone and take it.”
Cuba is a 22-year-old from Fontana, California, who is known for being in Robert Garcia’s Boxing Academy. Cuba has fast hands and good pedigree. He also is the only fighter to go the distance with Curmel Moton, a young fighter viewed as a phenom. Cuba sports a record of 8-1-2 (4 KOs) and is in a sink-or-swim type fight, despite having youth on his side.
He needs a win against an undefeated fighter to gain some momentum in the crowded lightweight division. Harris doesn’t see that happening.
“I feel like it’s just another stepping stone,” Harris said. “I feel like Anthony Cuba is a great fighter. He put up a great fight with Curmel Moton and it’d be good to get a stoppage over this kid and really highlight my career.”
Lucas Ketelle took an unconventional path to boxing, eventually finding his stride in gyms and media. For the past decade, he has hosted the “Lukie Boxing” podcast, filmed training camps for fighters like Arnold Barboza Jnr, Mikey Garcia and Caleb Plant, and worked with top professionals such as Mike Bazzel. Ketelle is also an author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for ProBox TV, BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @LukieBoxing.
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