WILLIAM READY TO CONQUER HARRISON

SkySports, UK
June 16 2004

William Abelyan insists he will be ready for action when he faces
Scott Harrison this Saturday, despite not fighting for over a year.
The Armenian – who is based in America – is finally fit to fight
after forcing the bout to be postponed from its’ original date due
to a shoulder injury.

Now the 25-year-old is raring to return to the ring and does not
believe his lack of action will cause him a problem as he looks to
gain the WBO featherweight crown from the Scot.

“I didn’t want to take the fight when I was injured but my shoulder
is feeling good now and I feel a lot stronger,” he said.

“It’s not a problem that I’ve been out for so long, I couldn’t get
a fight. Boxers didn’t want to fight me because I knock people out.

“I like Scott, he’s a decent fighter and I respect all fighters and
respect all world champions. But, I’d like to thank him for holding
on to the belt that we came here to get.”

Promoter Frank Maloney is also well aware of the danger opponent
Abelyan could pose Harrison this weekend and is predicting a classic
fight at the Braehead Arena.

“This will be one of the best fights the Scottish public will ever
see – I really believe that,” he stated.

“But I’m very concerned. It’s not a fight that I would have taken if
is had not been mandatory.

“Scott knows there are a lot of big names out there and big pay days
ahead but Abelyan hasn’t come over here just to pick up the pay cheque
– he fancies it big time.”

Maloney added: “Scott needs to rip the heart out of Abelyan like a
lion. He can’t take a backward step during the fight and he has to
wear him down.”