HARRISON GIVEN WBO CONDITIONAL SANCTIONING

Nov 22nd 2006

The World Boxing Organisation are expected to sanction Scott Harrison's featherweight title defence against Nicky Cook on 9th December now that he has signed and returned a conditional sanctioning form.

In a correspondence sent to Harrison, his lawyer Massimo Franchi and promoter Frank Warren, WBO Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista Salas explained that the Puerto Rican governing body will allow the bout to proceed provided the 29-year-old complies with the conditions set out in the sanctioning form.

The British Boxing Board of Control have given their approval to the contest after Harrison passed a set of medical examinations, which takes care of the WBO's first provision, but the Scot must also adhere to the original 180 day disability extension afforded to him earlier this year on May 13 and continue to supply updates on his treatment and rehabilitation for depression.

Finally Harrison must conduct himself “both inside and outside the ring in exemplary fashion, without the type of incidents that have lead to recent arrests and charges and that the criminal charges in pending cases are resolved with dispositions that do not prevent him from discharging his responsibilities as a WBO World Champion.”

Harrison was recently arrested in Spain and incarcerated in the Alahaurin De La Torre prison from 6th October until his bail was secured on 13th November and a date has yet to be set for the trial where he faces several charges.

Come February Harrison will have to endure two trials in Glasgow, one where he confronts the charges of breach of the peace, refusing to leave a licensed premises, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer, and the other opposing six alleged offences, including three for assault.

Interim WBO featherweight title-holder Juan Manuel Marquez also consented to Harrison fighting Cook at the ExCel Exhibition and Conference Centre in London.

Mexican Marquez is scheduled to make a first defence of the interim belt against Philippine Jimrex Jaca at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas on 25th November. Marquez won the title in August after stopping Thailand's Terdsak Jandaeng inside seven rounds.

The full conditional sanctioning can be read at the WBO's website, www.wbo-int.com






CAN'T HELP BUT THINKING THAT ALL THIS FUSS IS F*CKING WITH COOKIES PREP WORK