Harrison targets top title return

Harrison will soon find out if his licence is to be reinstated

Troubled former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison claims he can win a world title again in 2008.

Harrison lost his licence after failing to defend against Nicky Cook in late 2006 due to problems making the weight.

He has not fought since November 2005 and faces trial next week on a string of charges, including police assault.

But insisting his personal problems are behind him, the 30-year-old Scot said: "I should be world champion at superfeatherweight within six months."

Interview: Scottish boxer Scott Harrison

On 13 February, Harrison will find out if his application to have his licence reinstated has been successful.

He has admitted to suffering from depression and alcohol problems and was declared bankrupt last July.

However, he is back in the gym and has set his sights on a return to the top.

"I will take a tune-up fight in March hopefully, then I will be looking to fight for the world title in July," he added.

"But I've never felt better and if they offered me a world title fight today, I would fight today.

Now I have got my hunger for boxing back Scott Harrison

"It wasn't a big decision to go up a weight, it was the only decision.

"Two years ago I could hardly make the featherweight limit and I only stayed there because I was world champion.

"But I am living a better life these days.

"Even when I was a world champion I was living a terrible life.

"I was spending money quicker than I was making it.

"Now I have got my hunger for boxing back. I had lost it when I was world champion, I got a bit complacent.

"I was brushing aside top-10 and top-five fighters but I'm looking forward to 2008 and a new chapter in my life."

Harrison, who denies the criminal charges against him, then warned former training partner Alex Arthur that he could be gunning for his WBO title.

The Edinburgh fighter will take on reigning champion Joan Guzman later this year.

And Harrison said: "Alex Arthur hasn't won the world title yet and he has a tough job against Guzman but let's hope he does win it.

"Alex and I would be a cracking fight to stage somewhere in Scotland.

"I've won the world title twice before so I would be fighting for a world title for the third time and winning the world title for the third time."