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Harrison's boxing future in the balance

18/10/2006

Scott Harrison will be asked to prove he is mentally fit before he is allowed to return to the boxing ring, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has said.

The 29-year-old world featherweight boxing champion was arrested in Spain on October 6th on suspicion of theft and assault and is still being held in the Malaga police station.

This incident for the Scotsman, who is no stranger to controversy, has put his scheduled World Boxing Organisation (WBO) title defence against Nicky Cook in London on December 9th in doubt and has again raised questions as to his future in the sport.

BBBofC secretary Simon Block said: "I know little more than has appeared in the press and, as far as I'm concerned, we are not taking any immediate action.

"But, in the near future, we need clarification of what Scott Harrison has got himself into and to find out if there are any implications and if he is fit to continue boxing."

He added: "We have two concerns; first, in respect of his conduct and, secondly, his ability to continue his boxing career. We have to be assured he is medically fit to continue fighting."

Harrison, dubbed The Real McCoy, angered promoters and the WBO after withdrawing two days before his last scheduled fight in May.

He subsequently spent time at the Priory clinic because of depression and alcoholism but just four months later was charged by police with six offences including three of assault relating to a number of incidents earlier this summer.

Block concluded: "We are aware Harrison is facing criminal charges in Scotland but we will have to wait and see what happens following this incident in Spain.

"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.

"It would be inappropriate for me to speculate too much in respect of any charges against Harrison of which he has not been proven guilty."

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