Frank Maloney confirmed today that WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison will land a new six-fight contract with Sports Network which will bring him a “super-fight” with the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Injin Chi, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao.
The Glaswegian is defending his title against experienced dangerman Victor Polo to win back the fans after his farcical first round knock-out of Samuel Kebede in October.
Sports Network have also pushed the boat out to bring out the Tartan Army by employing a marketing firm to publicise the January 28 Braehead Arena showdown with the Colombian, and instructing him to parade his belts at half-time in last Sunday’s Old Firm derby.
Harrison’s manager is already in negotiations with the WBC super-featherweight champion Barrera about the possibility of a May battle but even if he cannot pull that off, at the start of 2005 he has promised that the big fights are just around the corner.
He said: “We are negotiating his new contract with Sports Network which I am glad to say is near enough completed and will kick in from January 28.
“Peter (Harrison’s father and trainer) and myself have had numerous talks with Sports Network about the value of Scott and big time boxing in Glasgow. We have also employed a marketing firm.
“That shows the importance that Sports Network hold for Scott Harrison and also the importance that they hold boxing up here in Glasgow.
“But it is up to the fans to show their support and turn up which would make our lives easier.
“I think it’s a very good contract and providing we are successful this year as we have been I am sure we will all be happy.
“We have a clause in the contract for a unification fight or what I would call a super fight – with maybe Barrera – so it’s a good contract.”
Maloney has called for the Scottish public to come out in their droves to inspire their biggest sporting hero and he has warned that another disappointing ticket sales could force the 27-year-old to take his glory nights elsewhere.
“I think they should respond,” he added. “If they don’t that shows that they don’t want success.
“Lennox Lewis in London didn’t always do a great job but he always got 8,000 or 9,000 turning up.
“Ricky Hatton is an exception to the rule but Scott Harrison should be in the Ricky Hatton mould.
“He’s the same sort of character and personality and he fights with his heart on his sleeve every time he fights.
“Other than the super fight I don’t really want to take Scott out of Scotland to fight. He has built his career here, made a name for himself and a statement.
“When he gets the super fight and wins it – whether against Barrera – we would want to make our defences here in front of packed houses and fanatical fans.
“That is my message to the Scottish public or the Tartan Army that he is the most successful sportsman here.
“He is bringing honour and pride to the country so let’s support him. Moving away is something that I would have to talk to Peter and Scott about after the fight.
“We have made a commitment to build boxing up here in Scotland and that’s what we want to do and this man is the flag bearer.”
Maloney did not want his man to take on this defence but Harrison is aware that his last fight damaged his reputation.
“I wanted the fight because of the slagging you gave me the last month,” said the 27-year-old.
“I want to do a good job on Polo to make the difference in getting fights with Barrera, Chi and Marquez.”
Maloney has a lot to thank the Cambuslang warrior for and he admits that his rise to fame is the reason that he has put his own retirement on hold.
The Englishman fell out of love with boxing after the well-publicised tragedy of Paul Ingle and bust-up with Lennox Lewis but the Scot has revived his affection for the game and now he wants to go out at the top with his man stamping his position as the greatest.
Maloney said: “As long as we have the same sort of year as we had last and we get the big fight we’re all going to be happy – the fans, journalists and especially me – and I can retire peacefully at the end of Scott’s career a very happy man.
“I’ve had three good champions and I did think about retiring when Lennox packed up and the tragedy with Paul Ingle but Scott has been with me from day one.
“We have had lots of ups and downs and great times and we’ll have some better times.
“It’s my ambition to go out at the top. I don’t want to go out managing four round, six round fighters. I’ve spent 20 years doing that and now I am enjoying life at the top.”
