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Harrison denied chance of defence | Harrison denied chance of defence |
(20 minutes later) | |
Scott Harrison will be unable to defend his WBO featherweight title against Nicky Cook on 9 December after failing to secure his release from prison. | Scott Harrison will be unable to defend his WBO featherweight title against Nicky Cook on 9 December after failing to secure his release from prison. |
Fight promoter Frank Warren said: "The situation with Scott is obviously very disappointing. | Fight promoter Frank Warren said: "The situation with Scott is obviously very disappointing. |
"For the last month or so we've been advised that he would secure bail and be in a position to defend his title. | "For the last month or so we've been advised that he would secure bail and be in a position to defend his title. |
"It now looks as if that won't be the case, so it's with great regret that the fight has been called off." | "It now looks as if that won't be the case, so it's with great regret that the fight has been called off." |
The 29-year-old has been in prison in Malaga, Spain, since he was arrested on 6 October over an alleged assault. | The 29-year-old has been in prison in Malaga, Spain, since he was arrested on 6 October over an alleged assault. |
The Cambuslang fighter now faces being stripped of his WBO title - with interim champion Juan Manuel Marquez set to inherit his belt. | The Cambuslang fighter now faces being stripped of his WBO title - with interim champion Juan Manuel Marquez set to inherit his belt. |
"From a non boxing point of view, Scott obviously has a lot of problems that he needs to address, and I just hope that he can sort himself out," added Warren. | "From a non boxing point of view, Scott obviously has a lot of problems that he needs to address, and I just hope that he can sort himself out," added Warren. |
Harrison has not been in the ring since last November and the WBO have already granted him special allowances because of personal problems. He pulled out of a fight with Gary St Clair in May before checking in to the Priory Clinic suffering from alcohol-related issues and depression. | |
Harrison will be replaced on the London ExCel Centre card by WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli. | Harrison will be replaced on the London ExCel Centre card by WBO World Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli. |
"Even with Harrison's pull out, this is still the biggest show of the year and a fantastic way to finish off 2006." Welshman Maccarinelli said. | "Even with Harrison's pull out, this is still the biggest show of the year and a fantastic way to finish off 2006." Welshman Maccarinelli said. |
"It's very sad with everything that has happened with Scott, but when Frank asked me to step in I jumped at the chance." | "It's very sad with everything that has happened with Scott, but when Frank asked me to step in I jumped at the chance." |
Featherweight Cook has been promised a title fight on the same night. | Featherweight Cook has been promised a title fight on the same night. |