A couple of days ago, I reproduced a story how a thief had snatched an IBC boxing belt from a shop in Teignmouth. Looks like he's struck again.
Scott Harrison has offered a reward of £500 after several extensive searches of his plush Cambuslang home failed to turn up his WBO belt. The loss first came to light two days after Harrison had regained the title against Mexican Manuel Medina at Braehead Arena on 29 November, when he stopped the Mexican in the 11th round. The Scot had temporarily surrendered the belt after a shock defeat to the same opponent back in July.
The featherweight champion’s father and trainer, Peter, explained: "Scott kept the belt in a cupboard and it was only when he went to get it to take to a dinner he was attending on the Monday evening after the Medina fight that he discovered it had gone" revealed Harrison senior.
"Scott’s initial reaction was that he had been the victim of a break-in on the night of the fight, but when he checked there were no obvious signs that someone had forced their way into his home.
"Scott has searched high and low and even contacted officials in Fort William just in case he had left it behind after he broke training camp prior to the fight. But so far there has been no sign of the belt.
"Scott has not notified the police in the hope that the belt would suddenly turn up somewhere. But it is a complete mystery and we can’t fathom out what has happened."
The belt is understood to have a value of between three and five thousand pounds, but Peter Harrison pointed out: "It has great worth for Scott. You cannot put a price on something as unique as a world championship belt.
"It’s also crucial that we get it back quickly because Scott attends a lot of functions at this time of year and it’s an opportunity for him to show people his belt."
Peter added: "If the belt has been stolen it isn’t really of much value to the thief because it isn’t the sort of thing you can put on open display. Perhaps there is a logical explanation for its sudden disappearance, but we certainly can’t think of one."