Alex Morrison, the boxing promoter, has lost a lifetime's collection of boxing memorabilia in a blaze that completely destroyed his Glasgow gym on Thursday afternoon.
The former heavyweight champion from Skye has lost priceless items from the ring, including items that belonged to East End legend Benny Lynch as well as an extensive collection of photographs and trophies from his own career.
The heartbroken Scot has vowed to rebuild his gym on the site, but he can never replace his lost history of the sport.
"Photographs I had taken with the likes of Jack Dempsey, Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno have been destroyed," said Morrison. "No amount of money can compensate for the loss of personal items that meant so much to me. I will rebuild the gym. I will not let this hold me back because I have had much worse things happen to me.
"I am having a temporary office set up straight away, but right now what has happened is impacting on my haulage business and I am also losing income from the gym and the adjoining cafe.
"Four or five people are also out of work as a result of the blaze, but, despite the devastation this has caused, I have been heartened by the offers of support I've received. Several fellow businessmen have each offered to loan me six-figure cash sums until the financial situation is sorted out and I have been touched by their generosity. Others have been in touch to say that they would willingly work for nothing to help me rebuild the gym."
Morrison, who manages Ricky Burns, the Interim World Boxing Organisation lightweight champion, has also promised to go ahead with a show he is promoting at Glasgow's Thistle Hotel next week.
"If I cancelled I would be giving in and it's not in my nature to quit. But I have lost all the paper work connected to the show," he said. "So I would appreciate it if those who have booked tables get back in touch with their details."
Meanwhile, former world champion Scott Harrison has moved a step closer to a sensational comeback after winning the backing of local fight directors. The Scottish Area Council of the British Boxing Board of Control has recommended that Harrison be given his licence back more than six years after the 34-year-old Scot last fought.
Harrison had the last of his 10 world title bouts in November 2005 when he chalked up an eighth title win against Australian Nedal Hussein. His career unravelled after that because of alcohol problems brought on by difficulties making the weight limit.
Harrison was subsequently jailed in Spain after being found guilty of assault. He was released earlier this year after serving a three-year sentence.
He has been training at his father Peter's Glasgow gym since his return to Scotland and has insisted that he is capable of regaining his former condition after keeping himself fit with daily work-outs while in prison. However, despite having the Scottish Area Council's support, Harrison's fate still ultimately rests in the hands of fight directors in Cardiff.
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