Scott Harrison’s depressing options

WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison is finding out that the twin terrors of depression and alcohol dependence are foes far more ruthless and cunning than any he has faced in his pro career.

Harrison had been admitted to the Priory Hospital in Glasgow last Wednesday morning following his withdrawal from a scheduled title defense versus Gairy St. Clair in Belfast on Saturday.

However, the 28-year-old scrapper is alleged to have left the Priory at least twice to have a drink, forcing Frank Maloney to convince Harrison to check into another facility on Sunday, the Scotsman reports. Maloney has pulled Harrison away from Glasgow, where too many familiar temptations are in the vicinity.

Harrison has been arrested twice in the past month and faces trial in September on four charges, including assaulting a police officer.

“Scott is continuing to have treatment,” said Maloney, “and he needs to see it through. We don’t know how long it will last, but hopefully Scott can stick with it and make the kind of recovery we all want him to make.”

The WBO said it will not strip Harrison of his title as a result of his last-minute pullout.

(Email news tips to Michael Woods at Fightwrite@gmail.com)