The manager of World Boxing Organization featherweight champion Scott Harrison has indicated interest in defending his title against “People?s Champion” Manny Pacquiao and has asked for “more information” on the possibility of staging such a fight in Manila or anywhere else.
In an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Mike Maloney said that Harrison is “training for an October 29 fight date” but as of now there?s no word on his opponent. Maloney wanted to know who would “stage this fight” between Harrison and Pacquiao and asked “what does Manny Pacquiao bring to the table?”
Pacquiao?s business manager Rod Nazario, prior to his departure for the US last Wednesday, revealed that Harrison was one of the fighters being considered for a Pacquiao fight date in late November or early December, suggested by HBO. He said promoter Murad Muhammad had informed him that there were three possibilities but didn?t name the fighters. Indications are, Harrison is among the three.
The WBO champion retained his title with his “fastest and best” world title victory at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow against William Abelyan. The British Broadcasting Corporation reported that “in front of a passionate and noisy crowd, Harrison brushed aside Abelyan in three rounds, dropping him twice in the third before the Armenian was rescued on his feet.” Harrison was referred to as “a man to seriously challenge the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera.”
Nazario said he expects to finalize details of Pacquiao?s next fight after meeting with Murad and possibly talking to HBO officials sometime next week. Nazario will also discuss with Murad a possible fight for Pacquiao?s younger brother Bobby, the reigning Philippine super featherweight champion who is ranked No. 1 by the Orient Pacific Boxing Federation and Z “The Dream” Gorres, OPBF No. 1 super flyweight who will join the Pacquiao brothers in training at the Wild Card Gym under the astute eye of Freddie Roach, 2003 “Trainer of the Year.”
