Harrison camp expect jail release

ICB · 10-24-2006 02:46 PM

Scott Harrison's manager Barry Hughes is hopeful the boxer will be released from prison by the weekend.
The WBO featherweight title holder has been in a Spanish jail since 6 October after an alleged incident in Malaga.

And Hughes insists that Harrison will be fit for his planned bout with Nicky Cook on 9 December in London.

"The fight is definitely still on," said Hughes. "We had it confirmed by the WBO. Seven weeks training is still plenty of time to get ready for it."

A Spanish court is due to to decide if the Cambuslang fighter can be released on bail.

And Hughes continued: "We are very hopeful of movement in the near future.

"There is no release date but they don't have the same system as we do here.

"As soon as the papers are stamped, he will be released immediately.

We are very, very positive that we will see Scott by the weekend

Barry Hughes

"We are very, very positive that we will see Scott by the weekend."

Earlier this week, Harrison's father and trainer Peter insisted that his son would be fit to defend his belt.

"He is training in prison and there are seven weeks to the fight. Fitness will not be an issue," said Peter Harrison.

"Scott assured me he had done nothing wrong and everything had been blown out of proportion.

"The Spanish court apparently need proof that he is fighting on 9 December, so an advertising poster is being faxed over to them.

"I spoke to Scott on Saturday morning and he is bearing up. But he is worried that if he is kept in any longer it could threaten the fight."

Last week the British Boxing Board of Control said it would seek assurances over his fitness, both physical and mental, before sanctioning any title defences.

"We have to be sure he is medically fit to continue fighting," said BBCofC secretary Simon Block.

"We need clarification of what Scott Harrison has got himself into and to find out if there are any implications.

"If any licence holder is found guilty of a criminal offence, it is a matter of concern to the Board under regulation 25 - which concerns any fighter bringing boxing into disrepute."

Harrison is already facing charges relating to six offences, including three of assault and on of fraud, in South Lanarkshire.

His arrest in Spain came five months after his decision to pull out of his last fight in Belfast at just two days' notice.

Harrison withdrew from his fight against Gairy St Claire after checking into the Priory clinic with depression and alcoholism issues.