Sporting Life, UK
Scotsman, UK
April 27 2004
ABELYAN FANCIES HIS CHANCES
By Chris Roberts, PA Sport
Cocky William ‘The Conqueror’ Abelyan turned up the heat ahead of his
WBO World Featherweight title challenge by claiming he was going to
“cook” champion Scott Harrison.
The Armenian, who is currently the WBO number one ranked and
mandatory challenger, is not short of confidence going into their
showdown at Glasgow’s Braehead Arena on May 29.
Abelyan insisted: “Harrison is only keeping my world title belt warm
for me.
“Just make sure he is polishing it so it’s nice and shiny for me when
I take it off him on May 29.
“My world title opportunity has been a long time coming. I stepped
aside to let Harrison fight (Manuel) Medina the second time following
his loss to him.
“By rights I should have fought Medina and I am certain I would have
knocked him out and would be the world champion now. Medina gave him
a grilling but I’m going to cook him.”
The Cambuslang fighter had been due to face California-based Abelyan
in his last defence but a shoulder injury forced Harrison to take on
and beat Walter Estrada.
But the 26-year-old finally gets his chance and he is not intimidated
by going into the red-hot cauldron at Braehead.
“Everyone’s telling me what a hostile atmosphere it is going to be in
the arena on the night,” continued Abelyan.
“To tell you the truth I couldn’t care less. If you saw where I come
from in Armenia then you would have a reason to be worried. Going to
Scotland does not scare me one bit.
“What are his fans going to do for him? They are not going to be in
the ring taking sledgehammer punches – Harrison is.
“I’m not going to Scotland to make friends, I’m going there to do my
job which is to knock Harrison out cold.”
With over four weeks until their fight, he claims that he is going to
humiliate the Scot with a first-round knock-out.
“I wish the fight could be tomorrow because the way I am punching now
he will not make it past the first round,” added Abelyan.
“My training for this fight has been fantastic and I’ve never felt in
better shape.
“Come May 29 you will be looking at a new champion and the end of
Harrison.”