Scott Harrison went off the rails, in his own words, but, after two years of battling problems with drink and depression, the former WBO middle-weight champion is staging an official comeback. The Scot with the troubled personal life announced yesterday that he plans to return to the ring for the first time in almost two years, while admitting that he was the author of his own downfall during a prolonged period of turmoil.

Harrison was among the most successful Scottish boxers in history, but has not competed professionally since November 2005 and was stripped of his title ten months ago when he failed to show for a weigh-in before the defence of his title.

Now the 30-year-old could be back in the ring by December, but at super-featherweight - 9st 4lb – after confessing to finding the featherweight limit of 9st a struggle to make.

At a press conference in Glasgow, held to refute newspaper claims that he had been told that he had only two years to live, he said: “This is Scott Harrison’s official comeback. I’m here to box again and win a world title. I’ve got a lot of fight in me and a lot to do.”

The normally publicity-shy Harrison spent more than 20 minutes demonstrating that he was gaining fitness. After dancing around the ring, throwing jabs and hooks, he moved on to a set of three punch bags. Although lean and lithe, he was sweating profusely and the effort was beginning to show.

Later, he said that he was only four fifths of the way towards becoming “fighting fit”. He also said that he felt stronger emotionally after two years of alcohol addiction and mental health problems. “I’ve sometimes been my own worst enemy, but I’m here to say I am healthy and fit,” Harrison said. “I think I am actually stronger after my two years of hell. You go off the rails, but what makes you a man is to come back from it.”

The boxer’s career has been over, technically, since he withdrew from a title defence against Gary St Clair last May and checked into Glasgow’s Priory clinic. He recently handed himself in to police over alleged incidents in Glasgow and faces charges relating to an allegation of assault in Spain. He was also made bankrupt in July over unpaid tax bills.

Before Harrison can box, he must win back his licence. No one at the British Boxing Board of Control was available for comment last night, but it is believed that he would be subjected to strict medical tests and his mental wellbeing would have to be assessed.

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