Boxing: World title fast-track chance for Scott Harrison

Former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison has been given the chance to fast-track his career back on to the global stage.

The 34-year-old Scot has been offered a fight against former British and European lightweight champion John Murray on the undercard of WBO title holder Ricky Burns’ defence against Kevin Mitchell at Glasgow’s SECC on Saturday 22 September.

A bout against Murray would serve as an eliminator for the WBO belt and provide Harrison with the chance to become the first Scot to become a three-times world champion.

Harrison – who was last in action at the end of June with a fourth-round stoppage of Hungarian opponent Gyorgy Mizsei at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow – has also been offered the opportunity to box Greenock’s John Simpson in an eliminator for the British super-feathwerweight crown.

Meanwhile, Harrison’s namesake Audley has vowed to carry the fight to David Price at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on 13 October. His abysmal three-round capitulation against David Haye in 2010, during which the terrified Olympic gold medallist barely threw a punch, has permanently stained his reputation.

But the 40-year-old refuses to end a hugely disappointing professional career and is determined to seize Price’s British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. “David has done no wrong and is a likeable guy,” he said.

“Whatever way you look at it, it’s a crossroads fight between two Olympic medal winners.

“It’s uncertain which direction I’m headed in while David is on the way up. My career has had tremendous highs and incredible lows. I’ve ridden the ship as best I can.

“On a few occasions, I haven’t shown up, which has really hurt my reputation, but I will show up in Liverpool. I have the spirit and tenacity to dust myself off and give it another go.”

The clash will see Britain’s two Olympic super-heavyweight medallists collide, with Harrison having won gold in 2000 and Price taking bronze eight years later.

“Audley might have a superiority complex because he won a gold and me a bronze, but the Olympics are in the past,” Price said. “Now I’m hell-bent on succeeding as a professional and nothing will stand in my way.

“If Audley Harrison is still dining out on his Olympic gold medal that’s up to him.”

Price admired Harrison after his success at the Sydney Olympic Games 12 years ago, but is ready to extinguish the dying embers of his career in his voluntary title defence.

“I never thought I’d fight Audley because when I was growing up on the GB team, everyone looked up to him,” he said.

“He was bit of an inspiration and I’m not afraid to admit that. But, come fight night, I’ll be there to do a job.”