For a few compact weeks, it looked like Harry Scarff had finally become the main beneficiary of the boxing business that had kept him on the fringes for so long.
Last November, Scarff did his part by defeating Ekow Essuman to win the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles and earn a high ranking in the IBF.
The sanctioning body then rewarded his efforts by ordering a world title final eliminator between Scarff and Ukrainian Karen Chukhadzian.
When Scarff’s promoter Wasserman won the bid to stage the fight, it seemed like the stars had finally aligned perfectly for the 30-year-old from Derby, England.
It wasn’t meant to be. Boxing policy means that if Scarff is to earn the right to fight Jaron Ennis for the IBF title, he will first have to defeat Chukhadzian in Hamburg, Germany.
The disappointment quickly passed.
Scarff has been on the road for all of his biggest fights, and while he would have preferred to walk into a familiar arena filled with recognizable faces on the biggest night of his career, that doesn’t matter right now.
The most vital part of the contract is still in force, and Scarff (13-2, 3 KO) will get the fight he has always dreamed of.
“Wasserman won the bid and we were looking forward to it happening locally,” Scarff told BoxingScene. “It didn’t work out that way. I think they fought for a date and location that matched the TV dates, and their team insisted and insisted and appealed to the IBF, and that’s how it started. I’m just glad I’ve sorted it out at this stage. I kept my head down, continued training and now I’m just ready to go.
– It’s like Harry Scarff, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to this though. I will take advantage of this opportunity.”
Scarff’s nickname “Scary Harry” is one of the more eye-catching ring nicknames in the sport, but while it suited him perfectly early in his career, it now does a disservice to his boxing skills. The technical details of Scarff’s game are hidden in an angular frame that gives the impression that each collision of bone against bone hurts. Scarff is not a sullied fighter, but if the situation calls for it, he is more than capable of pulling off an ugly, mighty victory.
The inexperienced Scarff suffered a couple of losses early in his career to Anthony Fowler and Troy Williamson as a junior middleweight, but has performed admirably since he dropped down to 147 pounds two years ago. The virtual defeat to Louis Greene looks even better considering the way Greene has been competing as a junior middleweight recently, and his title-winning decision over Essuman last November was a textbook demonstration of how to tame, negate and then dominate an undefeated, full-fledged opponent’s action. master.
Despite having to travel to Germany, Scarff will rely on his ability to adapt to the challenge before him, rather than taking a more aggressive approach in trying to impress the judges.
“I’ll just be myself. I think this is the best way,” he said. “I’ve always approached huge fights this way and that’s generally how I am. I like to look at you and then really grab them and drag them into the deep end where they don’t want to go. At this weight I am huge, athletic and mighty. I have an awkward fighting style, I can fight in two ways. It’s a tough night for everyone.
“It’s strenuous for people to prepare for it. I have many strings on my bow and I feel like I can unravel and deal with it as I need to.
Chukhadzian is known to boxing fans for going the distance against the standout Ennis in the previous must-see IBF title fight. Chukhadzian (28) showed resilience but caused Ennis several problems and suffered a crushing points defeat in January last year.
Scarff expects a different version of Chukhadzian on Friday night. The Ukrainian Chukhadzian will undoubtedly value him much less than Ennis, and with such a high prize on offer, it seems he will surely put up a very different kind of fight.
Scarff analyzed Chukhadzain’s style and background and found nothing that would cause him to lose sleep at night during the preparation period. In fact, a case can be made that his victory over Essuman trumps any of the Ukrainian’s 23 welterweight victories in history.
“Honestly, I don’t recognize anyone other than Ennis. I’ve fought some good names in the past. I have no problems with this fight,” he said.
“He was often on the defensive against Ennis. He ran around a lot that night, trying to pick and poke at things. In other fights we’ve seen, he’s been on his feet a little better. He still likes to work at angles, has quick feet and quick hands. I feel like I’ll push him onto his back foot and he’ll feel my size and strength. I think after that I will really take control of the fight. I think if you win exchanges, it’s a good start in boxing.
The way fighters are promoted and built today means that many reach world-class level without having to meet an opponent who has a similar level of skill and determination as them. Scarff’s journey was different.
His 15 professional fights were spread over seven years, and he developed a win-at-all-costs mentality that comes from being an unfashionable opponent with a string of losses under his belt.
Scarff’s mental strength cannot be questioned, and he believes the Essuman fight proved that he, too, has the ability to thrive at the highest level.
“I was quite content with the fight against Ekow,” he said. “I like that I started pretty aggressive, then I got into the box, then he pushed a little bit and I was able to finish the championship rounds aggressively. So I was content with that. I’m thinking about doing this and showing many aspects of my game. I will try to do something similar.
“I think Eko was already rumored to be an IBF eliminator final – albeit against a different opponent – but he was at that level. I am more than confident that I will rise to the challenge here and take the top spot in the welterweight division.”
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