Boxing Rd By Rd: Scott Harrison V Nedal Hussein

ByMatt Cotterell

The headlining bout of Sports Network’s Glasgow card was a cracking fight between WBO Featherweight Champion Scott Harrison and top notch Australian visitor Nedal Hussein. Hussein had talked a good game during the build up to this greatly anticipated showdown but it remained to be seen whether or not the former super bantamweight world title challenger could back up his assertions that he would knock the Cambuslang strongman out in six rounds. This would be the sixth defence of the title belt, which Harrison had reclaimed from Manuel Medina just under two years ago. Hussein had gone from super bantam to super feather in under a year, and he entered this bout with the reputation of good puncher who’s only two loses had come against genuine quality in the form of Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Larios.

Round One: A decent start from Harrison, getting through with a few shots as Hussein backs up against the ropes. Hussein gave Harrison a glimpse of that feared left hook to the body and again towards the end of the round. Hussein hasn’t found his rhythm yet and looks to be somewhat unsettled in the ring.

Round: Harrison 10-9

Round Two: Hussein looks to be a little more comfortable now, and scores with a nice right uppercut as Harrison walks in. Nice right cross from Hussein, followed by good body shot. Harrison may be the man coming forward but the quality work is coming from Hussein, much better round for the Aussie than the first.

Round: Hussein 10-9
Fight: Even 19-19

Round Three: Harrison is trying to get close to Hussein but is missing badly, and absorbs another good body shot from Hussein. Cracking uppercut again from Hussein, Harrison really felt that one. Hussein is showing a better jab in this round but the Scot regains some ground with two good overhand rights towards the end. It’s a close round, but better control from Hussein takes it.

Round: Hussein 10-9
Fight: Hussein 29-28

Round Four: Harrison opens with a cracking straight right, while Hussein is throwing the better jab he was flicking it in round one. Harrison missing as Hussein backs onto the ropes but the champion hunts him down and lands flurries against the ropes followed by a cracking left hook as Hussein backs off. Hussein was clearly shaken up by that shot and is still displaying adverse reactions when caught by Harrison.

Round: Harrison 10-9
Fight: Even 38-38

Round Five: Harrison bullies Hussein onto the ropes and sustains the attack while the Australian offers nothing in return. Nice right cross from Hussein, more eye catching than hurtful and Harrison continues to press. Hussein digs in left hook to the body before going down from a Harrison jab. The tourist is up at eight but his reaction doesn’t look good. Harrison piles it on but takes a couple of left hooks in the process.

Round: Harrison 10-8
Fight: Harrison 48-46

Round Six: Harrison opens with a meaty left hook, Hussein once again shrugs his shoulders. Nice jabs from Hussein; physically he is equipped to give Harrison a lot of problems but doesn’t seem to have the confidence to carry it off. Harrison unloads on Hussein against the ropes and both look like they are feeling the pace. Hussein prances around out of range before the fighters square off as round closes. Harrison’s early work wins him the round.

Round: Harrison 10-9
Fight: Harrison 58-55

Round Seven: Harrison opens the round with a barrage of body punches followed by left-right combination. Another cute right hand from Hussein as Harrison bulls in. Hussein backs up to the ropes but Harrison doesn’t follow this time. The pace slows as Hussein is still throwing a nice jab, just not too many of them. Nothing much happens in the round.

Round: Even 10-10
Fight: Harrison 68-65

RoundEight: Hussein’s corner wants more jabs and left hooks to the body. Hussein coming forward now, digging in that powerful left hook to the body. Hussein is pinning Harrison on the ropes now; nice couple of left hooks from Harrison, another nice flurry from Harrison. Neither fighter is very active but it’s Hussein that needs to step on the gas. Another even round.

Round: Even 10-10
Fight: Harrison 78-75

Round Nine: Hussein immediately on the ropes, with Harrison throwing a short burst. Nice left and right to the body from Harrison. Harrison comes off marginally better in the brief exchanges, landing one uppercut of note. Another big right uppercut from Hussein is just off target and Harrison returns fire with body punches and a right hand. Harrison tries a bit of fancy footwork to change his angle of attack.

Round: Harrison 10-9
Fight: Harrison 88-84

Round Ten: Harrison marches forward, Hussein again on the ropes as Harrison unloads, and Hussein replies with nice uppercut, again nice jabs from Hussein. Nice short right hand from Harrison and again. The contest is becoming quite scrappy. Hussein lands a short right hand, which stuns Harrison, and the Aussie follows up with good body attack.

Round: Hussein 10-9
Fight: Harrison 97-94

Round Eleven: Another good right uppercut from Hussein as they fight out of a clinch, left hook from Hussein and a right hand. Harrison going defensive and paying for it. Hussein lands four or five BIG punches on Harrison; Scott eats them all up and returns fire, before both duke it out as the round ends.

Round: Hussein 10-9
Fight: Harrison 106-104

Round Twelve: Both fighters start out toe to toe for the final three. A thumping left hook from Harrison sends spray from Hussein’s head and Hussein is the first to back off. Harrison chasing Hussein across the ring, scrappy infighting and the champion finishes slightly the better.

Round: Harrison 10-9
Fight: Harrison 116-113

The official scorecards are read and Scott Harrison retains his WBO Featherweight title for the ninth time over two reigns by marks of 116-111 (twice) and 117-111. SaddoBoxing has Harrison winning 116-113. The Glasgow man improves to 25-2-2 (14) while Nedal Hussein heads back to Sydney, Australia with a record of 39-3 (25).