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Last Updated: Saturday, 29 November, 2003, 21:51 GMT
Harrison is champion again
Scott Harrison (left) at the weigh-in with Medina
Harrison (left) looked a lot sharper

Scott Harrison regained his WBO featherweight crown by stopping champion Manuel Medina in the 11th round of their contest at Braehead Arena on Saturday.

Harrison looked a pale shadow of his normal self when he lost his belt to the Mexican in July.

But the Scot made amends for that shock reverse by putting on a battling display in front of his loyal fans at the Braehead Arena on the outskirts of Glasgow.

He knocked Medina to the canvas in the very first round and eventually forced his opponent's corner to throw in the towel in the penultimate round.

I'm two-times world champion and that's me gone down in history
Scott Harrison

"This was Scott Harrison at 100%," said Harrison. "I wasn't right for the last fight against Medina but all respect to him.

"Medina is a warrior. I hit him with hard shots but he kept coming back."

The Scot added: "I'm two-times world champion and that's me gone down in history.

"I don't think there's any British featherweight who has ever won the title back so that makes me feel really proud, especially in front of my home fans."

Harrison took the fight to Medina straight from the first bell and sent the Mexican reeling with a flurry of punches.

But Medina soaked up the early pressure and opened up a cut over Harrison's left eye in round four, although Harrison's corner claimed the injury was caused by a clash of heads.

The champion started to beat Harrison to the punch but earned the wrath of the crowd by continually slipping over.

The series of stoppages seemed to upset Harrison's rhythm, although he still managed to connect with some heavy combinations.

As the fight wore on, Medina began to dictate the pace and Harrison started to swing wildly, often missing his target by a wide margin.

Manuel Medina was using the head quite a lot
Harrison's father

Harrison, growing increasingly frustrated at the constant clashing of heads, lost his cool at the end of round eight, beckoning Medina to continue fighting after the bell had gone.

But he regained his composure and twice sent the champion to the canvas in the 10th round.

Roared up by his fans, Harrison dropped his opponent again in the 11th - and Medina's corner decided enough was enough.

"Manuel Medina was using the head quite a lot," said Harrison's father, Peter.

"He used all his experience. He knew he wasn't going to get it by punching and he used tactics he learned on the streets of Mexico."

Promoter Frank Warren added: "Scott knew what he had to do, he was the hungrier man on the night."




SEE ALSO
Harrison faces magic potion
19 Nov 03  |  Boxing
Medina taunts Harrison
05 Nov 03  |  Boxing
Bug hampered Harrison
14 Jul 03  |  Boxing
Harrison suffers shock defeat
12 Jul 03  |  Boxing



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