by James Slater – As was widely reported in the media, former two-time WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison of Scotland was released from prison on New Year’s Eve, after having served ten months of a sentence given to him for various alcohol related charges. Now, at age 31, Harrison very much wants to both straighten out his life and reclaim his status as one of the UK’s best active fighters..
In an article that has appeared on The Daily Record.com, it has been reported how Harrison told his close friend Michael Hughes that he is willing to return to Belfast, Ireland, so as to work with old trainer John Breen in a bid to make his ring return.
Breen told the Daily Record what he thinks of the situation.
“This is fantastic news and a great start to the new year,” Breen said. “I am delighted he is out of jail and he sounds very positive about the future. His girlfriend is expecting a baby, he says he is off the booze and is serious about getting his boxing career back on track. Scott is looking to get back into the ring and he wants to return to Belfast as soon as he can.”
Harrison, 25-2-2(14), the WBO featherweight champ from June of 2002 to July of 2003 and again from November 2003 until November of 2005, began to lose his battle with drink in 2006. Getting into an array of troubles due to his boozing, the 31-year-old has not fought since his title points win over Nedal Hussein in November 2005. It will be a hard road back for him, but time is still on the Glasgow man’s side at age 31.
Breen hopes the fighter can make it back, and thinks he can if he’s really given up the drink for good. Also, Breen implores the BBB of C to give Harrison his licence back.
“Scott is a lovely guy and I would do anything to help him,” Breen continued. “If he has got himself off drink for good then he has a huge career ahead of him but if he can’t do that he has no chance of getting back to where he was. Scott knows that himself.
“There are a lot of people who have done much worse than Scott and they have been given a second chance by the British Boxing Board of Control. He has served his time and come through a lot of problems so let’s not stand in his way now. It is time people gave him a break because if he doesn’t get that he might turn to the bad stuff again. Scott is a great fighter – the best Scotland has ever produced and one of the best to come from Britain.”
Indeed, in his prime Harrison was a ferocious and well conditioned warrior who was never in a bad fight. Here’s to hoping the former champ can make a new go of his career in 2009.