By Stevie Ocallaghan: On the 20th April at Wemley Stadium, Liam Walsh defends his WBO European lightweight title against veteran Scott Harrison. 26 year old Walsh with 13 wins and 10 stoppages will be looking to extend his unbeaten record to keep alive his world title ambitions after having a December fight against WBO lightweight champ Ricky Burns scuppered due to a car crash injury.
Walsh is still a relative novice having only 13 fights and is now arguably taking his toughest test so far in Harrison, who at 35 is himself in the last chance saloon. This is Harrison’s last real chance at getting back to the top after well documented personal problems.
The thing for Walsh to remember is that Harrison had been involved in 11 consecutive world title fights, dropping only 1 to the very rugged Mexican Manuel Medina by S/D, but regained the title by stopping Medina in the 11th in an immediate rematch.
With Harrison being out of the ring for Nearly 7 years , it is a big ask to come out and beat a young , fresh undefeated fighter like Walsh, but these are the kind of fighters you have to beat to get noticed?
Walsh, after moving up from super featherweight claimed the EU title on the first time of asking in defeating the limited Italian Domenico Urbano via an 8th round TKO. Even though he was a commonwealth champ his only real meaningful fight was against another Scot in Paul Appleby with Appleby having Walsh down in the 7th.
If Walsh where to lose this fight he has plenty of time to come back, but if Harrison where to lose, he can effectively give up any chance on his dream of becoming a world champ again and in that makes Harrison more dangerous.
If Harrison can turn back the clock and muster up a performance like the one when he beat Chacon for the title, or when he destroyed Wayne McCulloch then he has to be the favourite, but as I’ve said before, 7 years inactivity is a long time to be away from any sport.
I can see Harrison winning this fight but I believe his chances of a world title have gone, he might get a chance of a title shot but all the belt holders are on a higher level, of fitness and skill
Comments are closed.