http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/n...al_200112.html
HOME ADVANTAGE FOR HARRISON
Scott Harrison's return to the ring to defend his WBO featherweight title following personal problems will be staged on home turf after promoter Frank Warren secured rights to stage the fight on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Cambuslang fighter has been inactive since beating Nedal Hussein in November last year after spells in rehab for alcohol addiction. He is in court on four charges on Wednesday.
Harrison has been ordered to defend his title against Juan Manuel Marquez by November 4 after the Mexican became interim champion last month by beating Terdsak Jandaeng in Las Vegas.
And Warren's Sports Network outbid Marquez's promoter Oscar De La Hoya for the right to stage the contest.
Warren's bid of £394,938 ( 748,000USD) was more than the £377,461 on the table from De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions when the WBO opened purse bids in Puerto Rico earlier.
Warren said: "I'm delighted that I have secured my man the home advantage for his world title defence against Marquez.
"It will be a tough fight and every advantage we can get will count in Scott's favour."
No venue or date has been confirmed yet though the contest.
It was announced earlier on Tuesday that Harrison has left long-time manager Frank Maloney to join up with Barry Hughes' Braveheart Promotions.
Former fighter Hughes, who recently took Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kenny Anderson under his wing, is convinced he can turn the the Scot's boxing career and life around.
He told PA Sport: "He is a great fighter and he is a great asset for Braveheart Promotions. I am delighted to have him.
"The Boxing Board of Control sanctioned it and they wouldn't have sanctioned it if there was any conflict."
Hughes believes the challenger is in for a shock when he comes up against Harrison regardless of the venue.
"What has happened has led people into a false sense of security because Scott is in the best physical and mental shape of his career," Hughes said.
"His preparation will be better than ever before because he wants it more than anything.
"People have written him off now but when you are written off, you come back with a great performance."
Maloney was in the dark over the split - but is adamant the parting of the ways did not unduly worry him.
The news came as a surprise to Lennox Lewis' former manager, who has been by Harrison's side since he was a youngster.
"I know nothing about this but I'm sure I will survive the loss of Scott Harrison," Maloney said.
Hughes added: "Frank Maloney did a good job with Scott but there is more to being a manager than turning up for fights and weigh-ins.
"When a boxer has problems it doesn't help that his manager lives in a different country and doesn't know what's happening to him. I'll be more hands-on than that."
Marquez wins in 12rnd Decision.
