 Harrison was scheduled to make his ninth title defence |
Furious promoter Frank Warren has urged Scott Harrison to seek counselling for "mental problems" after the Scot withdrew from the defence of his title. The 28-year-old featherweight had been due to defend his WBO title against Gairy St Claire in Belfast on Saturday.
But Harrison was arrested on Sunday after an incident in a nightclub.
"I believe Scott's problems are mental and I also think he needs counselling now," said Warren. "He's let the fans, TV companies and the boxing game down."
Warren had some sympathy for the world champion on a personal level but could now sever links with the Cambuslang boxer.
"We have a contract with Scott Harrison, but my legal team will now be looking at things," he told Glasgow's Evening Times.
"What I needed from the Harrison camp was straight talking and I didn't get that.
"At 10am, I was told by a member of his team that he had trained well and all was well.
"Then, a short while later, I was called back by another member of his team to say he had pulled out.
"But I can assure you he has no injury.
"If he had made a call to me over the weekend saying he was unable or unwilling to go through with the fight then I would have been able to set the wheels in motion for a replacement.
"We will still manage that, but he has shown utter disregard for everyone connected with the bill."
Harrison is already facing trial in September following a late-night fracas in March.
On that occasion, Harrison was charged with breach of the peace, refusing to leave a licensed premises, resisting arrest and police assault.
If found guilty, he could be stripped of his title by the World Boxing Organisation and his latest arrest will lead to doubts over his career.
His manager, Frank Maloney, said: "He's very upset and I would go as far as to say I don't think he realises what's going on right now.
"I can confirm the fight is off and, under the circumstances, I support the decision.
"Physically, he is 100% fit, but there are some problems.
"I've had a lot of good times with Scott, so I'm not going to jump off a sinking ship.
"We will try to get to the root of the trouble because there are more important things than a boxing career.
"I'm upset, I feel sorry for him, but the whole thing goes deeper than boxing."
Guyanan St Claire was the third man called in to meet Harrison after mandatory challenger Joan Guzman and first replacement Martin Honorio both dropped out.
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The whole thing goes deeper than boxing