Gilmour concerned for 'tragic' Harrison
Promoter Tommy Gilmour has expressed sympathy for Scott Harrison whose ring future is in doubt after his WBO world featherweight title defence against Gairy St Claire was controversially cancelled.
The 28-year-old Glaswegian had been due to face St Claire at the King’s Hall in Belfast on Saturday but the fight had been in doubt after the Cambuslang fighter was arrested following a nightclub incident in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Scotland’s only boxing world champion was questioned after police were called to the premises in Balloch, Dunbartonshire.
Harrison’s manager Frank Maloney had initially insisted the fight would go ahead but the champion’s camp informed promoter Frank Warren yesterday morning that their man was pulling out.
A raging Warren threatened Harrison with legal action and said: “I can assure you he has no injury. I believe Scott’s problems are mental and I also think he needs counselling now.”
A more sympathetic Gilmour said: “It’s a tragedy. I hope he gets his life back in shape and gets back to being famous for what made him famous in the first place.
“He’s given a lot of pleasure to a lot of people but he probably needs some guidance and help now.
“I’ve known Scott since he was born and he won his first major title, the Commonwealth featherweight belt, in one of my St Andrew’s Sporting Club shows.
“That was my very small part in his progress and like other fighters who have fought on my shows like Jim Watt, Ken Buchanan and Paddy Clinton, he went onto become a world champion.
“So whatever problem Scott has, I hope he gets it sorted because it is important that he is remembered for what he achieves in the ring.”
