WILLIE LIMOND has endorsed the British Boxing Board of Control's decision to restore Scott Harrison's professional boxing licence.

The decision was finally taken yesterday after the board agreed to find in favour of the recommendations of their Scottish Area Council for whom Harrison's case was pled by the SBAC chairman Bernard Connolly.

That came after the former World Boxing Organisation featherweight champion had proved both his physical and mental fitness to return to the ring after an absence of six years. The requirements included a full police disclosure providing proof that Harrison has no further criminal cases to answer following his troubled spell away from the sport.

Even though Harrison's last professional fight was on November 5, 2005 – he outpointed Australian Nedal Hussein at the Braehead Arena in what turned out to be the final defence of his 9st title – Limond is convinced the ex-champion can reclaim former glories.

That belief is borne out of the numerous rounds of sparring Limond did with Harrison in the build up to his own doomed attempt to claim the British lightweight title from Anthony Crolla on November 25 at Ravenscraig.

"I had some great sparring with Scott, right up there with any of the sparring we have done going back to when Scott was world champion," said Limond. "The intensity and tempo of the sparring was as good as I could have got. Scott was the perfect preparation for Anthony Crolla; it was just unfortunate that I did not produce the goods on the night," said the former Commonwealth champion.

"Scott is in great nick; he never stopped throwing leather and coming forward. I put in almost 100 rounds for Crolla and most of these were with Scott so I know pretty well what kind of shape he is in. I think Scott could fight early in the New Year, no bother."

Harrison appears to have three avenues open to him. All of these would come under the promotional umbrella of Frank Warren, who retains Harrison's contract from his first spell as a professional which spanned 1996 to 2005, during which he claimed Commonwealth, British and world featherweight titles.

First, the near ghoulish level of interest that still surrounds the fallen former champion would surely mean Warren could promote his former charge on a Glasgow bill, at a middle-sized venue like the Kelvin Hall in his own right, with a sell-out a strong possibility.

Warren, though, may be sensitive to the idea of exposing Harrison to the Glasgow goldfish bowl effect and elect to place him on the undercard of a bill south of the border in a low-key return to action.

The third option would be to install Harrison as the main support to the WBO interim lightweight champion Ricky Burns in his next outing against an as yet unnamed opponent, at the Braehead Arena, on March 10.

All three of these routes would involve a fight in early 2012 and Limond has no doubt his sparring partner has the will to succeed where so many have failed in attempting to turn back the clock.

"Scott is a natural warrior, a born fighter, and he has an instinct for the game. He has not been damaged by having too many miles put on the clock in boxing terms and I can vouch for his power still being there," said the Glasgow boxer.

"When you consider how hard it has been for Scott to get his licence back, I think you will find he is determined to make up for lost time. I believe that will make him a very dangerous opponent for any fighter in 2012."

Harrison remains convinced his attempt to relaunch his career will not prove a forlorn hope.

"I am super fit and ready to go," he said. "I am hungry to get back in the ring and provide for my family once more. I am totally determined to become a world champion for a third time."

Harrison will, of course, continue to be trained for his second coming by his father Peter, who also trained Limond for the Crolla defeat, and he is adamant his son is still the real deal.

Harrison Sr said: "Boxing is such a big part of Scott's life, so we are delighted he has his licence back. It won't be a problem, physically or mentally, getting back in the ring.

"We are perhaps looking at a fight in late February but everyone knows Scott is a talented fighter. He's still the real deal and I am looking forward to seeing him become world champion for a third time."

The one certainty about Harrison's comeback is that it will not be at the 126lb featherweight limit. The early indications are a move up to lightweight, at 135lbs, is most likely.

Such a move, should the most talked about comeback for many a year gain momentum, would also put Harrison, intriguingly, in the same weight as Ricky Burns. Both fighters are promoted by Warren and while a fight between the pair may seem remote, it is by no means inconceivable.

analysis What now for the reinstated Scott Harrison? asks Bert Mitchell