Preview: Scott Harrison vs. Samuel Kebede.

This Friday, October 29, at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Scott Harrison (22-2-1) will put his WBO World Featherweight Title on the line against undefeated Ethiopian Samuel Kebede (24-0).

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Harrison, coming off an impressive third round stoppage of the highly regarded William Abelyan, will look to put on a display for his home crowd, in what will be his last fight before heading to America to watch, from ringside, the rubber match between Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. As per usual, Harrison’s mind is focused on business rather than pleasure, as he looks to challenge the winner of the aforementioned super bout. Of course, all of Harrison’s plans hinge on the outcome of his mandatory defense against Kebede. Indeed, a loss to Kebede may well consume any chance of Harrison ever getting that much sought after “super fight’.

Samuel Kebede, now based in Malmö, Sweden, will be looking to improve on his already impressive 24-0 record, and put paid to all of Harrison’s future plans. Of course, people may question the authenticity of such a record. After all, who has he fought? Naming anyone on Kebede’s record would be an exercise in futility, it’s highly doubtful any of them will be remotely familiar to even the most ardent boxing fan; however, any fighter who has gone twenty-four professional bouts without a loss should be taken lightly at great peril.

Ken Buchanan, one of the few great Scottish boxers, made the same mistake when faced with the now legendary Roberto Duran. What transpired succeeded in sinking the heart of even this young upstart. Harrison, though, having studied tapes of the Ethiopian, looks unlikely to make the same mistake. Kebede, in a strange move, has apparently declined to watch any tapes of the WBO king. Overconfidence or mind games? We shall see.

Harrison, commenting on Kebede’s antics jokingly said, “If they show him the tapes, he might not turn up! They better keep the tapes away from him.”

“Seriously, I don’t think Kebede is being very professional. It’s important to study your opponent to examine his different moves, strengths and faults.”

“However, it’s up to Kebede how he prepares. But I have certainly watched tapes of him.”

Harrison at least seems to be in a relaxed mood ahead of the bout, clearly exuding confidence in the midst of what has been a great year for the twenty-seven year old. With the subject of Harrison’s age being brought up, it becomes ever clearer that Friday will be a pivotal night for the rugged Scotsman; it will either leave him in a great position to negotiate a career defining fight or, much like after his first encounter with Manuel Medina, will leave him in limbo. Not to sound biased, but let’s hope it’s the former.

**Quotes from The Sun.

James MacDonald can be reached at ac009b5460@blueyonder.co.uk