The rise and fall of a tormented champion

HE WAS a world champion with everything in his grasp: wealth, respect, the immortality of the record books. But yesterday former Scottish boxing champion Scott Harrison appeared to have hit a new low after appearing for a second time in a Spanish court over an alleged brawl in a bar on the Costa del Sol.

The arrest meant that Harrison, who fought his way out of Glasgow's East End to become world featherweight champion in 2003, failed to appear in a court in Glasgow over an alleged incident at a pub last year.

He now faces charges over four separate incidents in Spain and Scotland, including drug possession, car theft, breach of the peace, and assaulting a police officer with such force that it allegedly left him blind in one eye. The latest incident comes in the wake of revelations of financial troubles, alcoholism and depression surrounding the troubled athlete.

Boxing commentators are now concerned that Harrison may suffer the fate of a former Glasgow flyweight champion, Benny Lynch, who died of malnutrition in 1946 after a descent into alcoholism. Harrison is understood to have a large portrait of Lynch on his bedroom wall.

Frank Maloney, Harrison's former manager, said: "It's a very sad story. I can't even bear to read the stories anymore. He was one of Scotland's best sportsmen but it seems like he is on a downward spiral. I just wish someone would be brave enough to shake this young man by the collar and let him know that he is killing his reputation and probably even himself".

As he missed his court date in Glasgow yesterday, Harrison appeared in a Spanish court over the alleged bar attack which left three men in hospital.

The 29-year-old former boxing champion made a statement to an investigating judge before being allowed free on bail.

He was ordered not to go within 500 metres of the Oxigeno bar at Alhaurin El Grande, where the alleged assault took place, or to approach the three alleged victims. Reports claim that the bar is known as a haunt for South American and eastern European prostitutes.

Harrison and two other Britons, aged 33 and 35, were all released on bail by the judge in Coin, Spain.

They were arrested on Sunday morning over the alleged assault, but have not been charged.

Harrison is due to stand trial in July in Spain over an alleged double assault and a car theft. He also faces court dates in Glasgow related to outstanding taxes, drug possession, and alleged fights in bars in East Kilbride and Govanhill.

Boxing writer Jim Black said the arrests were part of a "rolling tragedy" involving the talented but flawed Glasgow fighter and that the consensus in the boxing community was that Harrison now needs professional help.

Harrison had been trained and coached by his father, Peter, until the two men parted company earlier this year.

Mr Black said that Harrison's problems may be the result of his gruelling training regimen and the constant demands of making weight. Harrison withdrew from his latest featherweight fight after failing to make weight.

"Scott's always had a problem making weight," Mr Black said. "You suffer and it requires huge discipline and self-deprevation. Medical experts believe that the constant demands to make weight can lead to instability, mood swings and aggression.

"I've known Scott for 12 years, and when he was first coming up he was surly but never aggressive. But I've seen him change in the last two or three years, and I can't help but think that the constant strain he's been put through to make weight has contributed".

Harrison's court dates come amid financial difficulties as well. Two weeks ago he was given a final chance to settle an £83,000 tax bill.

It is understood that he has put his home in Burnside, Glasgow, on the market.

CHEQUERED HISTORY

1996: As a teenager, Harrison wins the bronze medal at the European Amateur Boxing Championships in Denmark.

• 1996: Starts his professional career by knocking out contender Eddie Sica.

• June 2002: Defeats Victor Santiago to become the WBO featherweight champion.

• July 2003: Loses world title to Manuel Medina.

• November 2003: Regains the title with knockout of Medina.

• 2005: Banned from every pub in East Kilbride after reports that he is picking fights.

• 22 April, 2006: Tear gas is used to restrain Harrison when he is arrested in Glasgow for breach of the peace and kicking a police officer.

• May 2006: Harrison pulls out of a title defence in Belfast after an alleged incident in a nightclub.

14 July, 2006: Police attend the Westwood Bar in East Kilbride after Harrison flouts the smoking ban.

• 6 October, 2006: Arrested in Spain for allegedly beating up a policeman after allegedly trying to steal a car.

• 1 December, 2006: It emerges that Harrison owes about £80,000 in outstanding taxes.

• 30 January, 2007: Arrested in Glasgow for possession of valium tablets.

• 10 March, 2007: Arrested in Govanhill for breach of the peace and threatening to kill a man called David Brown.