The Big Debate: Scott Harrison vs. Michael Brodie.

Yes, believe it or not, there is in fact another fight taking place this weekend. Of course, you would be forgiven for being none the wiser. Tszyu-Hatton has cast an almighty shadow over what would ordinarily be boxing’s headline-grabber of the week; however, it is a credit to Harrison and Brodie that they do not feel the least bit slighted at being cast from centre stage. They are acutely aware that, although their bout is of great interest to the boxing world, their tear-up this Friday is essentially the warm-up act. Granted, warm-up acts do not come much better. By the end of the weekend, this fight, such is its potential, may very well be the one that lasts in the memory.

Detailed below is why I feel Scott Harrison will be too much for Michael Brodie this Friday night.

Since the Victor Polo fight, many misconceptions circulated about Scott Harrison. The one that irks me most is when “fans’ question his stamina. Not only is this utter tosh, but is based entirely on one fight. It fascinates me how those same fans were so quick to write off Marco Antonio Barrera in the aftermath of his one-sided loss to Manny Pacquiao. These fans have a short memory. Did Harrison run out of gas after six rounds in his last fight? Most definitely. Does that mean that we should disregard every fight prior to that, in which he kept swinging until the final bell? There is something extremely circular about that logic. I am sure those same fans would counter with the old adage, “You are only as good as your last fight.” That would be folly, however. Harrison has come back before and I feel he is primed to do it again. And unfortunately for the likeable Manc, Michael Brodie, that spells bad news.

The argument most put forth when talking up Brodie’s chances in this fight is that he is a far superior boxer to Harrison. While that may be true, Brodie suffers from what can only be described as “Philadelphia Fighter Syndrome,” P.F.S. for short, if you will. Those who suffer from this hold reputations for abandoning their god-given talent for boxing, in an effort to match the opposition punch-for-punch. Some fighters, such as Erik Morales and Marco Antonia Barrera, can get away with it at the highest level. Their toughness and versatility almost invariably sees them through. In my eyes though, Brodie lacks that mental and physical toughness to engage in such a war with a strong, rugged brawler like Harrison. He is the naturally smaller man, by a long way, so this tactic would be tantamount to suicide. Having said that, Brodie does possess wonderful boxing skills and may very well spring a surprise this weekend by changing the habit of a lifetime.

Should Brodie decide to stick and move, a tactic that has given Harrison no end of trouble in the past, he will likely make a much better fight of it. The problem with this is that Harrison, although notoriously troubled by pure boxers, only has trouble with tall, rangy fighters, such as Polo and Medina. Brodie simply is not as tall or crafty as either of those two mentioned. He also lacks the power to hurt Harrison with his jab. My feeling is that, whichever tactic Brodie employs, he will be overwhelmed by the much bigger, stronger, physically and mentally tougher Harrison. If Harrison is on form, I fear it may be a short night for Brodie, which is a shame, as he has been one of our better talents over the years. I just hope he is able to leave the ring on his own two feet this Friday.

Over to you, Rupert. Do your worst, sir.

Thank you Mr. MacDonald. Here is why I think that Harrison’s days as a “World champion” are over.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2000 with consecutive wins over Tracy Harris Patterson and Tom Johnson (both excellent, if elderly ex-champions) Harrison has flattered to deceive. After clearing up the British scene, post Naz, he then won the vacant WBO title against Victor Santiago and gathered the full title against the experienced Argentinean, Julio Pablo Chacon. This was followed up with a drubbing of the ex-bantamweight, Wayne McCulloch, a fight that had many calling for “The Pocket Rocket’s” retirement. This was the peak of Harrison’s career as he lost and won against Medina in his next two fights and has since beaten low-level opposition in the last two years, including the gift decision over Polo.

Brodie, however, has not won a fight since June 2003 (Harrison has a 5-1 4KO record since then) and drew and lost in two extremely tough battles against the machine-like In Jin Chi in his last outings. He knows this is his last chance and he has been out of the ring for over a year and, after turning thirty-one earlier this month, things do seem to be against him on paper. A look back at his career reveals a different story, as he is the fighter with pedigree. Brodie has won British, Commonwealth and European titles at super bantamweight; defending those titles nine times against opposition as good as anything Harrison has faced in his reign as “World” champion. He was then cheated (IN HIS HOMETOWN) of a win for the vacant WBC super bantamweight title. Despite winning WBF and IBO featherweight titles, he will not settle for spurious Alphabet baubles (unlike some). Brodie wants the real thing.

The year out is going to help Brodie. He has now grown into the weight, has refreshed his body and mind, overcoming personal troubles that plagued the Chi fights and is looking at the WBO title as a stepping-stone to greater things, whereas Harrison has talked about meeting the top fighters while meeting patsy’s in the comfort of home.

This fight will be close, with Harrison’s pressure causing Brodie some trouble, but the cream will rise to the top on this occasion and Brodie will win enough rounds with his superior boxing to take Harrison’s title.

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

Rupert Wricklemarsh can be reached at taansend@yahoo.com