Boxing: Judge set for decision on release of Harrison

Scott Harrison was yesterday awaiting a decision on whether he will be released from a Spanish jail. The World Boxing Organisation featherweight champion's legal team have submitted papers to a judge in Malaga arguing for his release after the Scot was arrested over an alleged assault on 6 October.

Harrison is not scheduled to appear in court and now the judge must decide on the matter. The promoter Frank Warren had set Monday as a deadline for Harrison to be freed otherwise it was thought he would have to pull out of a title defence against Nicky Cook in London on 9 December.

Harrison had been expected to appear in court on Monday and Warren was "driven round the bend" waiting in vain for news. But the promoter revealed that the Cambuslang fighter could still fight Cook, a former European champion, if he is now released.

Warren said: " When they put in the bail application it was written up the wrong way. The judge has got the papers in front of him now and he will give his decision today.

"He has got a case on at the moment and he will make his decision when he has some spare time, in the lunch break or something."

If Harrison is released, he will face tests to see if he is physically and mentally fit to fight the undefeated Essex-based Cook.

Harrison will lose his belt if he does not defend it on 9 December, with Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez poised to assume the world title.

The 29-year-old pulled out of a fight with Gary St Clair in May before checking in to the Priory clinic suffering from alcohol problems and depression.

Elsewhere, Michael Hunter admits he will have to "walk through fire" to claim the vacant International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight title against Canada's Steve Molitor on Friday. The Toronto boxer is a stylish southpaw and has yet to be beaten in 22 bouts as a professional.

"The more I watch of Molitor, the better he is," the British, European and Commonwealth champion said. "He's good in every department. I'm in for the fight of my life. You don't fight for the world title and walk through people."