Warren boxes clever over prospect of 'monster fight' involving Harrison

Sports writer

Monday 24 September 2012

A calculating mind was at work after Ricky Burns successfully defended his WBO lightweight title against Kevin Mitchell.

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RICHARD WILSON

Frank Warren, the promoter, was valuing the options open to the champion, and there is money to be made in local rivalries. Warren was not being parochial when he talked enthusiastically of the prospect of Scott Harrison challenging Burns in the near future.

Harrison was twice the WBO featherweight champion before he could no longer control his demons, culminating in a spell inside a Spanish prison and seven years out of the ring. His second fight since regaining his boxing licence was against Joe Elfidh on the undercard of Burns' title defence at the SECC, and he won the six-round contest with a 60-53 points tally.The champion will fight again in December, and Harrison would need to fit in two contests before then for Warren to be sure he is ready."Ricky Hatton's come back after two or three years out and we all know what was happening to him in his life," said the promoter. "Scott was doing some stupid things as well, but the difference was that he was still in condition. Even when he was in prison, he wasn't putting on weight. He was training. If he can keep himself out of trouble, that fight could happen."Harrison is now 35, but he looks strong and determined, although Burns' display was a devastating mix of power and aplomb.There were flashes of malevolence against Elfidh, but the Englishman was also the fourth-choice opponent, and only confirmed on Saturday morning, because Harrison's original foe failed to turn up. His frustration was evident."I just treated it as a work out," Harrison said. "The last time I did six rounds, I was 20 years old, I'm used to fighting title fights. That was just a spar, really. I left at the top without being beaten, so I feel ready. I'll keep myself in the gym until I fight again in November. [Facing Burns] would be a cracking fight for the country. Believe me, I'll be ready."Setbacks need to be borne, though, and Harrison cannot allow himself to be troubled by resentment. "He was very lucky to get his licence back," Warren said. "At the moment, he seems to be behaving himself. If he can keep doing that, he will get a big fight." Yet it is a fight that Harrison needs and Burns does not. The world champion can move forward from here, and the only benefit of taking on Harrison is financial. Harrison is also not the fighter he once was, and Burns may now be beyond the best that he can still muster.

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Warren boxes clever over prospect of 'monster fight' involving Harrison

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