Medina helping Abelyan prepare for Harrison bout Jun 10 2004

ic Lanarkshire, UK
June 10 2004

WBO World Featherweight title challenger William Abelyan has sought
the advice of the man who defeated Cambuslang champion Scott Harrison
in his bid to be crowned champion on June 19.

The Armenian hardman challenges Harrison for his title in the highly
anticipated clash at the Braehead Arena and for his final preparations
has drafted Manuel Medina into his training camp for advice and
tactics on how to beat him.

Medina, the tricky Mexican veteran, handed Harrison a shock defeat
last July to become a five-time World champion. Harrison later cited
illness as the cause of his loss and reversed the decision in the
rematch four months later to reclaim the title.

Abelyan said: “With Medina coming into the camp and giving me advice
it is the final piece in the jigsaw to beat Harrison. The training
has gone well and I’m in superb shape. All I need to focus on now is
fight tactics.

“Medina knows Harrison’s boxing style very well as he’s faced him
twice before and he’s also got a wealth of knowledge and experience
from being a five-time world champion which I am learning from.

“We’ve been watching Harrison fights on video, practising moves in
sparring and planning strategies for hours on end so by the time I get
in the ring with Harrison I will know him better than he knows himself.

“Medina gave Harrison a whupping but I’m looking to do a real job on
him and knock him out and I believe I can do it.”

The fight has been rescheduled for next week, due to an injury to
the Cambuslang ace, but tickets purchased for the original date of
May 29 will remain valid for the rescheduled date of June 19.

Tickets, priced at £30, £50, £75 & £125, are available from Keith
Prowse Ticketing on 0870 906 3839, Braehead Arena box office on 0870
444 6062 and online at