HUNTINGTON -- Cym Harris comes to the "Coal Miner's Daughter Comes Home" boxing show with a 5-13 record. The well-traveled light middleweight makes no apologies for that mark as she prepares to meet Christy Martin in the main event on Aug. 1 at Veterans Memorial Field House.

"Watch the people I'm fighting," Harris said in a telephone interview from a Polk County Fire/Rescue station in the Tampa area. "I don't fight just anybody. I've never done that. I'm a really good entertainer."

In six of her last seven fights, Harris has taken on opponents well up the ladder in United States and world rankings.

Oct. 3, 2008, Anna Ingman, No. 3 light middleweight, Philadelphia, lost decision.

Sept. 20, 2008, Cecilia Braekhus, No. 2 welterweight, Westfalen, Germany, lost decision.

Aug. 30, 2008, Charmaine Carrington, No. 7 light middleweight, Atlanta, Ga., lost decision.

June 13, 2008, Adelita Irizarry, No. 5 welterweight, Hartford, Conn., lost decision.

Oct. 12, 2007, Olivia Fonseca, No. 6 light middleweight, Philadelphia, won decision.

Nov. 24, 2006, Mary Jo Sanders, No. 1 light middleweight, Manistee, Mich., lost decision.

Now it's time for the Tampa resident, who is ranked No. 6 in the U.S. and No. 11 in the world, to head to West Virginia.

"I'm used to hitting the road. I'm OK with it," the 41-year-old said.

Harris got started in boxing at age 32. The mother of four and firefighter/EMT with the Polk County Fire/Rescue delved into kickboxing first and moved up.

"I had to get into shape," Harris said. "I always wanted to try it (boxing). Kickboxing was fun, but I love boxing. I like the challenge, the rush I get out of it except the backyard decisions."

Work shifts for Harris are 24 hours on, 48 hours off. Those two off days include gym time.

Martin's last fight was July 18, 2008 in Houston. The NABF middleweight title still is without a champion as the pioneer in women's boxing and Valerie Mahfood fought to an eight-round majority draw (78-74 Martin, 75-75, 75-75) draw.

This fight is the first in a four-bout series for Martin, who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1996. The next two planned dates are Aug. 14 in her hometown of Orlando and Sept. 2 in Syracuse. The fourth date has not been set.

"When Christy calls there's no hesitation," Harris said. "I'm the one who travels now."

Martin (47-5-3) has said one of the goals of the four-fight series is reach 50 career wins. Harris wants that drive to begin after this fight.

"Number 48. Don't plan on it. I'm looking at a win," said Harris, who's never been knocked down. "That's my motivator. I like to box more than brawl. We both come forward."

A press conference with the two fighters is scheduled at 1 p.m. Friday at Pullman Plaza. Could there be some back-and-forth between the combatants?

"I'm low key, but I can be provoked," Harris said. "I know Christy's personality. It depends on what she does. If she's cool, I'm cool."

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