News On Scott Harrison Arrest

Harrison will defend title, says manager By Times Online and PA Barry Hughes, the manager of Scott Harrison, insists the WBO featherweight champion's comeback fight will go ahead as planned despite his arrest in Spain. The 29-year-old is set to take on former European champion Nicky Cook at the ExCel Arena in London on December 9, but the bout has been thrown into doubt after the Scottish fighter was arrested in Malaga on October 6, reportedly in connection with the alleged theft of a car and an assault on a police officer. Harrison pulled out of his last fight in Belfast in May with just two day's notice after checking into the Priory clinic with depression and alcoholism issues. Hughes - who says Harrison is innocent of any wrongdoing - expects to secure his release from a Spanish prison within the next 24 hours and insists he will immediately resume training. "Scott's in great shape," Hughes said. "This is just a set-back of one week's training. "As soon as he gets out, he'll be straight back into the training again. The fight on December 9 is still on - there's no reason at all why it shouldn't be." However, promoter Frank Warren admits he is still in the dark over the incident in Spain. "The first I heard of it was when I picked up the newspapers," Warren said. "It's very, very disappointing but I've not spoken to Scott or Barry so it's difficult to comment. "I don't even know whether he has been charged or not and what he has been charged with. We've got some great fights on that night so let's just wait and see what the situation with Scott is." According to Hughes, Harrison claims a language problem led to his arrest. "Scott's car broke down and there was a confrontation because of a language communication problem. He doesn't speak any Spanish and the officer didn't speak any English. This is what led to Scott's arrest. Nowhere on the charge sheet does it say that he has stolen a vehicle." A spokesman for the British Boxing Board of Control said: "It would be inappropriate to comment until Scott's situation is known