Back to the future: Family dynasty gives Harrison extra spur

THE walls of the Scott Harrison school of boxing gymnasium bear testament to the fact that boxing is the family business and one that has played a major role in three generations of the Harrison clan's history.

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Invited along to observe one of the former champion's final full-on training sessions before his comeback against French-Algerian Brahim Bariz at the Kelvin Hall a week on Friday, my eyes are drawn to the sepia-dimmed pictures of yesteryear that provide graphic illustration of the blood, sweat and tears this boxing dynasty have invested in the noble art.

The black and white photograph of Davie Harrison, the former champion's grand- father and still going strong at 90, pictured with his comrades from the boxing team of HMS Europa in 1945.

A clutch of colour snaps showing his father Peter in full Seventies boxing magnificence and then on to Scott himself as an aspiring young fighter, fledgling British and Commonwealth champion and then at his peak as the established WBO featherweight kingpin.

But we are not here to talk about the past, we are here to look to the future. In eight days a pivotal moment in Harrison's life, not just his career, will arrive when he goes toe-to-toe with Bariz, the journeyman fighter who is the first obstacle to Harrison's ring redemption.

The first thing that strikes me as a major change from the old days is how relaxed both the ex-champion and his trainer and father Peter are.

Present are a few select and trusted members of Team Harrison Mk2. George Collins the strength and conditioning coach, Pat Burns the veteran training assistant and Hugh Gray, an outstanding young talent who will be making his professional debut on the undercard come Friday week.

As the former champion tapes his hands up, Harrison is happy to talk about his hopes for what is without doubt the comeback story in British sport this year.

He said: "I am focused totally on Bariz. Nothing else is of interest. I am happy at the weight and feel stronger now than I ever have. For me a week on Friday just can't come quickly enough. I know there is an expectation there, but all my focus is on the win.

"This is the first step for me on the way back and so it is the most important. A lot of people have backed me, including of course my father Peter. Come a week on Friday I want to pay them back by showing I am back for real."

But words come cheap and the doubters still remain to be convinced.

As Peter shows me an old photo of myself and Scott brandishsing the Commonwealth championship belt he had claimed by way of a 12th round stoppage of teak tough Ghanaian Eric Odumase, back in 2000, my emotions flirt between hope and doubt.

The only evidence that will convince in the case for the defence is the work Harrison is about to undertake in his father's superb new establishment in French Street which has once again, much like the old Phoenix gym, become a training hub for the East End community.

First up, Harrison warms up through six rounds of shadow boxing, pumping his fists with piston like precision and displaying dexterous footwork.

Next, he works his way down a succession of heavy bags used to replicate an opponent's body, head and then a combination of both.

As his fists beat down on each, all three are left swinging in unison, as Harrison relentlessly works his way up and down in three minute sets designed to replicate the time of each round.

And when it comes to padwork, the pace remains relentless. The left hook that was so withering at Harrison's peak, the pulverising right uppercut and the six to eight-punch combinations that would grind the opposition into submission are all rattled out.

The thud of the impact on the body bag leaves me in no doubt that power will not be an issue for Harrison this time round.

Two months short of his 35th birthday, Harrison is in the type of shape that would put any full-time footballer to shame. And the message is clear – this comeback is for real and there are no shortcuts being taken.

As my eyes lock on to the T-shirt worn by Harrison, proclaiming him world champion, I am again left to wonder if the seemingly impossible may well be within his reach and another chapter of this dynasty's boxing history will yet be penned.

lTickets on sale costing £100 ringside, £60, £45 and £30.

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