BRITISH fight legend Barry McGuigan has backed Scott Harrison to blast back to boxing's big time with an explosive victory against unbeaten Hungarian Gyorgy Mizsei jnr tonight.
Despite the fact that Harrison has been out of the ring for six and a half years and will turn 35 in seven weeks' time, McGuigan says he can once again challenge for a world title.
The former WBA featherweight champion said: "The first thing I would say is that 34 is not old in boxing now. You look at Bernard Hopkins and he is still fighting for world titles at 47, so the age thing is not the crucial aspect in Scott's comeback.
"From what I have heard he has got himself into tremendous shape and that is the foundation for any comeback.
"I think the other big positive for Scott is that he is boxing two weight divisions up from featherweight where he was world champion.
"I don't think anyone can underestimate how much the debilitating effects of making nine stone contributed to Scott's problems.
"Now he is up at 135lbs he will be fresher and stronger and feel a lot better in himself."
McGuigan knows all about trying to turn the clock back.After losing his world title in the searing heat of the Las Vegas desert to Steve Cruz back in June 1986, the man known as the Clones Cyclone called time on his career only to re-launch himself two years later.
Unfortunately, after four fights McGuigan's comeback ended when he was stopped on cuts by Jim McDonnell in May 1989. But he has no reservations about Harrison's bid to resurrect his career and tackle his demons outside the ring.
The Irishman said: "Of course he will have to be disciplined outside of the ring, but he has everything on the line tonight and I would hope his performance reflects that.
"There must be so much frustration burning inside Scott and given the fact he was always such a ferocious competitor I think there will be a new level of intensity to his work."
Harrison is understood to have been walking about at 2lbs under the weight limit two days before last night's weigh-in.
The Glaswegian has been so comfortable making 135lbs that a drop down to super-featherweight (130lbs) is being considered for his next fight which will be on the undercard of Ricky Burns' WBO lightweight title defence against Kevin Mitchell on September 22 at the SECC.
One worry for Harrison tonight is the possibility of ring rust, but McGuigan is confident that won't be an issue.
He said: "Scott was never a boxer who relied on reflexes and technique. He has that in-born warrior thing about him.
"The best scenario for Scott tonight is that he gets six to eight rounds under his belt and a decent work out against Mizsei who, by all account is a real live one.
"Hopefully he can force a stoppage mid to late on and then get his head down in training and backs up a win tonight with another on September 22.
"Scott has it in him to challenge for another world title but, that will be down to him. His destiny is in his own hands."