SCOTT HARRISON has won the support of his former manager in his bid to win the World Boxing Organisation European lightweight crown, despite being "fast-tracked" into contention.
The 35-year-old, who last fought for a world title seven years ago, when he outpointed Australian Nedal Hussein in Glasgow, will challenge Englishman Liam Walsh on April 20 at Wembley Arena.
Harrison parted company with manager Alex Morrison in February, but the Glasgow promoter said: "I think Harrison might have too much experience for Walsh.
"He is still incredibly focused in spite of all that has happened to him. It's difficult to imagine anyone else mounting a successful comeback at championship level after such a long absence, but Harrison is amazing. When I first saw him outside the ring he looked a physical wreck. But six weeks later he looked like Charles Atlas.
"I believe he is capable of going on to regain a world title, provided he sticks at it. But he is definitely in the last-chance saloon this time; he knows he's got to buckle down and avoid temptation."
Walsh, 26, claims that Harrison is past his prime and said that he will not be overawed by the Cambuslang man's reputation when they feature as chief support to the bout between Nathan Cleverly, the WBO light-heavyweight champion, and Robin Krasniqi.
Harrison split from Morrison days after the promoter had announced plans for a summer bout in Glasgow featuring Harrison and the WBO world lightweight champion Ricky Burns. Burns has since parted company with Frank Warren, the promoter of the Wembley bill.
Morrison said: "There are no hard feelings on my part. I wish Harrison all the best and hope he wins, but it's interesting that, when I was working with Warren, he didn't want to use Harrison. I thought he [Warren] treated him very badly before they eventually came up with an opponent at the last minute. When I managed Harrison I did things properly."
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