Scott Harrison bids for return to ring

Published on Saturday 7 March 2009 18:50

SCOTT Harrison is in line for a return to the ring after a three-year absence – and could be in action by the end of the month.

The 31-year-old's appeal to have his licence returned will be heard by the British Boxing Board of Control at their headquarters in Cardiff on Wednesday. Harrison's case has been helped by the fact that he has the unanimous support of the Scottish Area Council members, who voted 11-0 in favour of allowing the former WBO featherweight champion to box again at their recent meeting. Bernard Connolly, the BBBC's Scottish steward, will travel to Wales to plead Harrison's case, although the boxer will not attend the hearing.

Harrison has faced problems with alcohol, drugs and depression and served four months in Barlinnie last year after being convicted of assaulting his girlfriend. The BBBC stripped him of his licence in 2006, when he failed to turn up for the weigh-in for a defence of his WBO featherweight title against Nicky Cook, claiming he could no longer make the 126lbs limit.

Subsequent appeals to have it returned were denied after the boxer was arrested in Scotland and Spain for a variety of offences, including drink driving, breach of the peace, and assault. However, the feeling among BBBC members is that, having served his time, Harrison, who was declared bankrupt in 2007 after losing a battle with HM Revenue and Customs over unpaid taxes, should be allowed to resurrect his career.

"Now that there are no further cases pending, it's against European law to prevent him from earning money," said one Scottish representative.

He has been in training since his release from prison on December 31 and sparring partners Willie Limond and Jason Hastie claim he's in excellent condition.