Arthur tells Harrison he must wait

Published on Wednesday 6 February 2008 09:26

SCOTT HARRISON threw the first punch by challenging Alex Arthur to a world title but the Capital boxing star skilfully ducked and dived it.

Harrison has claimed he would be ready to challenge Arthur to a world title fight within six months and Arthur, the WBO interim super-featherweight champion, while not discounting the possibility, queried the timescale.

"Certainly an Alex Arthur v. Scott Harrison world-title fight would be mega big in Scotland and would sell itself and I would be willing to fight Scott Harrison in such a bout,'' explained Arthur.

"Let's be frank here, Harrison has non-ring related issues which have yet to be sorted out before he even gets his boxing licence back and I have to beat Dominican Joan Guzman for his WBO title yet and that's where my focus is and must remain. I don't think any such fight could happen within six months as Scott is claiming. He would almost certainly have to have at least another fight to establish himself as a leading contender after having been away from the ring for two years.''

Harrison lost his licence more than a year ago after failing to defend against Nicky Cook in December 2006 because of problems making the weight.

Harrison has applied to the British Boxing Board of Control to have his licence reinstated and he will find out the decision two days after his latest court date. He faces trial on February 11 for offences which allegedly took place at the Counting House in Glasgow on April 22, 2006.

Amongst other charges, all of which he denies, he is accused of assaulting a police officer and breach of the peace.