Harrison overwhelms McCullough in title defence victory
The 25-year-old produced a performance of such strength and majesty against Belfast's former world bantamweight champion that few would deny his credentials to one day rank among Scotland's all-time greats.
In a clash which left McCullough needing hospital treatment for dehydration, Harrison dropped only one round on each of two judges' scorecards on his way to a successful first defence of the WBO featherweight
title he took from Argentina's Juan Pablo Chacon in November.
He came desperately close to handing the Irishman the first stoppage defeat of his glittering career. But Harrison will not be satisfied until he has achieved even greater conquests in the bigger matches which now lie ahead.
"I want the big fights for my fans. I'll fight anybody in the featherweight division I couldn't care less who I fight," Harrison said.
"It's something special to be named alongside men like Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt because they were my idols. But I'm only 25 and I've got a long way to go and a lot more titles to win."
McCullough had endured 12-round battles against Naseem Hamed and Erik Morales, but admitted neither had done as convincing a job as Harrison, who had his opponent on the brink of a stoppage in the sixth, eighth and 10 rounds.
Only McCullough's great heart kept him upright, and the Harrison camp had justification afterwards for insisting the challenger's corner ought to have stepped in to stop the contest.
McCullough, who appeared at the post-fight press conference with an ice pack clutched to his swollen left ear, will take time to consider his future.
But the 32-year-old paid rich tribute to his opponent.
"Scott is the strongest featherweight I've fought. Hamed and Morales were strong. But this kid was unbelievable he really shocked me," he said.
"He is a lot stronger than the other two guys, and I would fancy Scott against either of them. His was definitely the best job ever done on me."
The cliff-hanger fight many expected was never likely to materialise as soon as Harrison took the centre of the ring from the opening bell.
He boxed with a terrific and focused maturity and made his weight advantage tell against an opponent whose greatest achievement came at bantamweight, where he won the WBC title eight years ago.
McCullough had since overcome a suspension caused by a brain scan
irregularity and sparred over 130 rounds to make up for his recent professional inactivity. But his punches lacked spark, and Harrison's relentless approach earned him 120-109, 119-109, 119-108 verdicts on the three ringside judges' scorecards.
Harrison's father and trainer Peter said: "I signalled to the McCullough corner to stop the fight in the eighth because Scott was catching him with too many shots. If he's losing every round and has no chance of winning the fight then why leave him in there Kenny Croom, McCullough's trainer, didn't do his job."
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