Harrison wants shot at world's best, or deal is off

Max Baer · Post by **Max Baer** » 25 Jan 2005, 00:13

STEPHEN HALLIDAY

SCOTT Harrison yesterday warned he would pull out of his new contract with allegedly and Frank Maloney if they failed to deliver him the career-defining fight he yearns for within the next 18 months.

Scotland’s WBO featherweight champion makes the latest defence of his title against Colombian challenger Victor Polo at the Braehead Arena on Friday night at the start of a new six-fight deal with his promoter Warren and manager Maloney.

Harrison, who believes he is at his peak at the age of 27, is determined to ensure he does not miss out on the opportunity to justify his claim that he is the best featherweight in the world.

"It’s in my contract that within six fights I’ve got to get a big fight or the contract is basically void," said Harrison. "I’m looking to have a big fight within the next two or three fights. That’s what I need and that’s what the fans need. I need a unification fight and if I get half a chance, I’ll take it. All I need is the opportunity. It’s what I crave. I need to be the best fighter I can be."

Last October’s first-round stoppage of hapless Ethiopian Samuel Kebede did little to further enhance Harrison’s worldwide reputation, and there is a growing sense the Scot may now have to embark on a campaign of fights in the United States to achieve the status he seeks.

"You’ll need to ask my manager or promoter that," he said. "It’s down to them to get me the right fights. There are a lot of politics involved, as to where the big fights will be. Would it be America or here, which TV station would it be on, how much money would I get and how much would they get?"

Harrison’s promoters have already lodged an offer with WBC champion Injin Chi, who defends his title in South Korea against Tommy Browne of Australia on Sunday, for a unification contest, and talks have also taken place over a possible match with Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas on 7 May.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 25 Jan 2005, 05:55

Yeah, yeah. We've seen and heard it all before with Calzaghe.

If anyone was serious about Harrison getting fights with the top men, for starters he could start facing world class opposition. I don't know how he thinks he's even earned the right to share the ring with the recognised top men such as Juan Manual Marquez, Chi etc.

Typical Sportsnetwork in my opinion, continued low risk opposition for an eternity and then think you've fooled enough punters to demand a big fight.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 25 Jan 2005, 05:59

Harrison's level of opposition has generally been ok, the Kebede farce was a low point, but he's faced some good fighters. The biggest names on Chi's record are obviously Morales and then Brodie.

I would say Harrison deserves a shot at Chi, and if they can make a big deal with Barrera, then why not.

I believe Harrison is top 10, and probably top 5 in the division, and he can certainly fight. I'd love to see him fight Chi, and that's a fight they can make for sure, Chi will travel to fight as he isn't a big draw.

jonny · Post by **jonny** » 25 Jan 2005, 06:18

Yeah I remember all the publicity when Hatton was said to have it put in his contract that there HAD to be a fight with Witter and as we all know that never came off....

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 25 Jan 2005, 06:22

Well. I am prepared to give Harrison the benefit of the doubt, he isn't Hatton after all, they are two different people.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 25 Jan 2005, 07:04

How many world class boxers has Scott Harrison met in their primes then?

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 25 Jan 2005, 07:18

Cant believe Harrison is being slated by some for WANTING to fight the best and actually having it put in his contract. Obviously unlike all the other supposed ambitious guys with Sports Network he actually wants to try and make sure he's not fed the usual diet of hometown walkovers. Good on him would be good if the likes of Sicknote followed his lead.

dbf · Post by **dbf** » 25 Jan 2005, 07:31

agreed 007. Im by no means a harrison fan, but fair play to him. He isnt messing around. I hope he does get a shot at another champion. Hopefully something will come of this.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 25 Jan 2005, 07:35

And people may slate Harrison but at least his WBO belt is considered more legit than that pile of crap 'stepping stone' belt Hatton has been defending for years! (Sports Network called it a stepping stone when he first fought for it - they werent expecting to make a record for defences of that thing obviously!)

I'd like to see Harrison in with the top guys and see how he gets on. He probably wouldnt win but at least he's stepping up to the plate after what - 25-26 fights? Hatton and Calzaghe are nearing 40 fights each.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 25 Jan 2005, 07:55

Trouble is, what is Sports Notwork's idea of a "big fight"?

A unificiation fight with the IBO or WBU champ probably.

I can hear them already "I don't care what the papers are saying, this is a genuine big fight for Scot. Apart from his first few fights, the Norwegian is unbeaten for over a year now and represents a real threat to Scot etc etc.."

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 25 Jan 2005, 08:00

I'm sure Harrison has specific fighters named in the contract - thats the impression I had from an article I read anyway.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 25 Jan 2005, 10:21

I don't rate Scot harrison at all - but he is a step above Joe 'Can't take my powwwwwwwwwwwwwwer' Calzaghe and Fatton when it comes to competition !

Jedi Knight · Post by **Jedi Knight** » 25 Jan 2005, 10:46

Fair play to the bloke. I truelly beleive Scott would never duck anyone and he honestly wants to fight the best.

Definetly deserves a shot..

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 25 Jan 2005, 12:04

Scott Harrison

"It’s in my contract that within six fights I’ve got to get a big fight or the contract is basically void," said Harrison. "I’m looking to have a big fight within the next two or three fights. That’s what I need and that’s what the fans need. I need a unification fight and if I get half a chance, I’ll take it. All I need is the opportunity. It’s what I crave. I need to be the best fighter I can be."

Yrs I know we have all heard this sort of thing before from other fighters but I happen to believe Harrison has a real desire to fight the top fighters around his weight class, I also believe he can give any Featherweight in the World one hell of a fight.

Lets hope Harrison gets his wish, and soon. I for one would love to see it.

Lefthookhappy19 · Post by **Lefthookhappy19** » 25 Jan 2005, 14:39

In this division I think its actually Chi who's being protected. His handlers know they have an exciting fighter and are content to defend it at home for pretty good money against nobodys. I think Harrison would beat Chi. Chi is made for Harrison the way he comes straight foward. Its the slick guys who trouble Harrison. Chi would come foward and find that he's fighting a guy just as if not stronger than himself. Just remember how good Scott looked beating McCullough.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 25 Jan 2005, 15:39

Hard to believe what a lack of a draw Chi is over in his homeland. Particularly when you consider how all these shit pop stars from over here go down a storm over there. His last fight with Sugama looked like a small hall show!

Smit · Post by **Smit** » 25 Jan 2005, 15:40

Manos de Oro wrote:Hard to believe what a lack of a draw Chi is over in his homeland. Particularly when you consider how all these shit pop stars from over here go down a storm over there. His last fight with Sugama looked like a small hall show!

Thats because it was in a shopping mall if i remember correctly?

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 25 Jan 2005, 17:36

Smit wrote:
Manos de Oro wrote:Hard to believe what a lack of a draw Chi is over in his homeland. Particularly when you consider how all these shit pop stars from over here go down a storm over there. His last fight with Sugama looked like a small hall show!
Thats because it was in a shopping mall if i remember correctly?

Oh my, was it?

I just remember it sounding quite quiet even when the fight was getting intense; you could hear the people shouting but there wasn't enough of them to create that unified roar sound you usually get from decent sized crowds. I remember there were large arches with curtains in the background too, as if it was in a ballroom or large dining area that had been cleared out for the fight, though the shopping malls in big hotels can be huge so it may well have been.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 25 Jan 2005, 18:09

Lefthookhappy19 wrote:In this division I think its actually Chi who's being protected. His handlers know they have an exciting fighter and are content to defend it at home for pretty good money against nobodys. I think Harrison would beat Chi. Chi is made for Harrison the way he comes straight foward. Its the slick guys who trouble Harrison. Chi would come foward and find that he's fighting a guy just as if not stronger than himself. Just remember how good Scott looked beating McCullough.

chi has been in some tough fights, and I think they are holding out for a big shot, they are going to put him in with some patsies in the hope they get a shot against barrera, but I think that unlikely.

I think Chi v Harrison would be a hell of a fight, it's true his style would suit Harrison, as harrison's not much of a mover, but his head's like an anvil and he hits harder than McCulloch, and is a huge featherweight, just like Harrison.

J · Post by J » 26 Jan 2005, 06:31

Good on Scott as said he has fought some decent opponenets and if he is sayiong he wants to go for a unification and get it in his contract fair play.

It amazes me on here sometimes, there are still slatings against British fighters going on here who have signed up to fight the best.
Eastman V hopkins
Hatton V Zoo

possibly Chi v Harrison

STOP F*CKING MOANING AND PUTTING THE GUYS DOWN.

Give em some support and getitng behind them instead of belittling them at every opportunity.

steve68 · Post by **steve68** » 26 Jan 2005, 20:18

for having a pop though after so many let downs in the past. Personally I'll support any British fighter that fights for a world title, except Hatton, hope he gets his blue head knocked off :)

lirva33 · Post by **lirva33** » 27 Jan 2005, 06:34

J wrote:Good on Scott as said he has fought some decent opponenets and if he is sayiong he wants to go for a unification and get it in his contract fair play.

It amazes me on here sometimes, there are still slatings against British fighters going on here who have signed up to fight the best.
Eastman V hopkins
Hatton V Zoo

possibly Chi v Harrison

STOP F*CKING MOANING AND PUTTING THE GUYS DOWN.

Give em some support and getitng behind them instead of belittling them at every opportunity.

People can't get behind fighters who rob them of their hard earned cash with easy KO's. For example, look at Harrison after the Kebede fight. Celebrating like an idiot. You would think he's be ashamed but no. Look at him and his mates beating the living daylights out of a bloke in a club. Yeah, I'll get behind a man like that... OK.

As for Eastman, nobody is slating him as far as I'm aware. It's people like Hatton and Calzaghe that get the most criticism, and rightly so.

J · Post by J » 27 Jan 2005, 06:37

how that then I know you dont think Hatton Zoo isnt gonna happen but you are one of the few as it comes closer to fruition day by day.

What exactly are you going to moan about when Hatotn steps in the ring with Kostya on June 4th? Youre gonna be eating a lot of humble pie my friend after the past year of calling hatton a coward and a fraud.

if he doesnt then i guess it will be me eating humble pie.

As per usual you pick the exception to the rule to try and prove your point. Be fair to Harrison he has fought a better level of opponenet kebede apart and Polo seems a decent match up. He wants to fight Chi so...whats your beef.

Even Ali had soft defences mate.

Calzaghe however is beyond defence.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 27 Jan 2005, 13:11

If the fights happen, great. Going on recent events involving Sportsnetwork the promises often fail to happen.

As Jonny quite rightly states, Warren said on live tv that Witter was was in Hatton's contract. Didn't happen ! So I don't place much hope in a delivery.

Too many "if's" and "might be's" with Sportsnetwork, and so many fans have become well and truly sick of it.

Look, I'll be jizzing in my pants if Ricky squares off with Kostya, but good God, we've had to wait soooooooooooo long for it to happen.

Max Baer · Post by **Max Baer** » 27 Jan 2005, 13:19

I seen this on maxboxing yesterday...

"April 9th will see the return of Marco Antonio Barrera on HBO Pay-Per-View. Sources at Golden Boy Promotions told MaxBoxing that names like Scott Harrison and In-Jin Chi were being discussed to face the newly minted WBC 130-pound champion.

But the problem is that someone named Mzonke Fana may be mandated to face Barrera by the WBC. Fana, it seems, was the mandatory for over a year-and-a-half and had never gotten his title shot during that time.

Even with an undercard that could feature Oscar Larios facing Joan Guzman and Israel Vasquez taking on Daniel Ponce De Leon, selling a Barrera-Fana fight will be difficult.

Perhaps, once again, Barrera will drop his belts.

This fight card could take place in Mexico City."

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that Harrison gets his big fight soon. 8)

Harrison wants shot at world's best, or deal is off

Harrison wants shot at world's best, or deal is off

You can't blame people