Harrison ready for the big one
Wolverhampton's Dean Harrison steps into the ring tonight at the Aston Villa Events Centre one fight away from finally getting his chance at the British title.
The light-welterweight faces Laszlo Komjathi in the chief support bout with a simple objective - win and you'll get your shot.
But his Hungarian opponent has not come to lie down and, with 11 knockouts in 46 fights, he will not be afraid to end Harrison's dream given the chance.
All sets the stage for a vital battle at the Villa, with the 25-year-old set for a collision course with British champion Paul McCloskey if he comes through.
Harrison said: "It is a must win fight. I have got a hard task ahead of me tonight, no doubt about it. I have trained unbelievably hard - in fact I have been training since November - but now my fate is in my hands at long last.
"It all come down to this and I am ready."
The Scotlands hope has endured months of frustration in his quest to get on McCloskey's radar, every since he controversially lost a British title eliminator and the vacant English title to boot against Scott Haywood on points in September.
Since then he has only fought once, lifting the British Masters belt with a points win over Chris Long in November.
A planned bout in December with Poland's Arek Malek was called off, before Harrison was given another chance at a English title/British title eliminator against Lenny Daws.
Daws pulled out days before the fight, so Harrison will become the mandatory challenger if he wins tonight.
He said: "The frustrations are all out of my mind now. I just want to get in the ring and win this fight."
The 25-year-old has also left himself open to the prospect of an all-Midlands clash with England's first World Amateur champion Frankie Gavin, the Birmingham prospect due to enter the professional ranks at light-welterweight later this month.
If Harrison is the British champion as Gavin rises through the ranks, the two could inevitably meet in the ring.
Harrison said: "Frankie is a world-class prospect and I have known him for years. There is a mutual respect between us. I would be open to it - but that's a long way off yet."
You can still purchase tickets for Harrison's big fight, by calling promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
