British Boxing Preview: Scott Harrison – Nedal Hussein

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On a night when its should have been a Super Middleweight Unification between Joe Calzaghe and Jeff Lacy we get a bout that potentially could be just as entertaining. Scott Harrison, amazingly still only known in Britain to the real boxing fan, makes the sixth defence of his title in his second reign

against Australian based challenger Nedal Hussein.

In the weeks leading to the fight Hussein has been taunting the champion about how he’s going to end his reign, put pay to his dream of bigger fights and also put him on the canvas. With words like that its sure going to fire up the champion.

Harrison known as the Real McCoy has been a professional since 1996 and has a professional record of 24 wins with only 2 defeats. His resume is certainly impressive. names such as Tracey Harris Patterson, Tom Johnson, Richie Wenton, Steve Robinson, Wayne McCullough and Manuel Medina have fallen victim to the Scot. In his last defence back in June Harrison turned in his most impressive recent performance in overpowering Michael Brodie in 4 rounds in the challengers hometown of Manchester.

Harrison has been calling out the big names in the featherweight divison and I personally feel he could be one fight from a matchup with the likes of Marquez. He certainly belongs in that league. A big man by featherweight standards at 5 foot 7 inches he possesses true grit and is dangerous from the first round to the last. So what of his opponent?

With only 2 defeats in 41 fights Husseins record looks impressive. He also has mixed in pretty good company and in his one previous challenge for a world title lost on points to impressive Super Bantamweight champ Oscar Larios. He also took one of the pound for pound best 10 rounds in Manny Pacquiao. He seems to carry a dig on him as they say in the boxing fraternity. With 25 KOs in 39 wins hes a challenger not to be to be taken likely.

For me this bout is more Harrisons to lose more than Husseins to win. Scott seems to be on the fringe of a big money fight and an impressive win will stand him in good stead along with the connections of Frank Warren.

The difference maker I see in the fight is the amount of punches that are thrown. For me Harrisons sheer volume is likely to overwhelm his challenger. Hussein as he admitted himself doesnt throw that many punches. In fact I will be surprised if Scott doesnt throw twice as many shots. Granted Hussein has power but I think the challenger is going to be surprised by Harrisons sheer will, toughness and grit, If put on the spot for a prediction I say Harrison Round 10!

Also on this bill is the third pro fight for Olympic Silver Medalist Amir Khan. In the opposite corner Steve Gethin. With no disrespect to Gethin this is all about how impressive Khan looks. In his first two pro fights hes looked the business and hes already talking about bouts with fellow domestic rivals such as Kevin Mitchell. Hopefully Khan can get some more rounds under his belt as he did in his last pro outing.

Should be a good bill Saturday.

Lee Bellfield