'Ready to make the city proud' - Will Harrison ready for derby rematch

York boxer Will Harrison meets Joe Garside to compete for British Boxing’s central area welterweight title in Rotherham this coming Saturday. The ten round fight is both a rematch and a Yorkshire derby as Garside hails from Halifax.

Harrison joined the professional ranks in 2021 following a strong amateur career which saw him become the Yorkshire champion at 63kg.

He then won five bouts decisively before meeting Garside last April, where a closely fought contest was scored as a 95-95 draw by referee Darren Sarginson.

This means that the judging referee awarded five rounds to each of the boxers.

Back in 2022 Harrison told the Press: "I couldn’t put into words how I've learnt since transitioning into the world of professional boxing with everything improving including my timing, my speed, my power.

"I’ve become a completely different fighter. I’ve taken everything that I did good and made it better and I’ve improved all the parts of my game that I was lacking in."

Qualifying to compete for an area title shows that Harrison has continued to hone the tools of the trade.

It is hardly surprising that Harrison has done so given that he trains alongside champions such as Reece Mould, Maxi Hughes and Josh Warrington at the latter’s gym in Garforth, near Leeds, and is coached there by Warrington’s father Sean O’Hagan.

It was Warrington who came up with Harrison’s current moniker of ‘Willy Whacker’ which replaced ‘The Thrill’.

The York boxer is nevertheless determined to put on "a thrilling performance which supporters find exciting and exhilarating. I’ve proved where I belong. This time I’ll cement it.".

26-year-old Harrison lives with his wife in Bishopthorpe and has his own plumbing business. He started out with Gary Kelly at Jorvik Boxing Club.

Harrison’s manager Glenn Banks is convinced that the title belt will be in York on Sunday, saying: "Will has worked harder than anyone can imagine preparing for this fight.

Will Harrison (centre) poses with manager Glenn Banks (left) and coach Sean O'Hagan (right). (Image: Submitted) "He’s left no stone unturned and he’s ready to become the local champion and make the city of York proud. Prepare for an explosive performance."

Harrison is keen to thank ‘my sponsors for their generous support including Eco-Heat-York, York Digital Image, Hands that Heal Physiotherapy and Dobson’s Joiners. It’s massively appreciated.’

The bout between Harrison and Garside takes place at the Magna Centre Rotherham on a show promoted by Steffy Bull and Ryan Rhodes with the title belt fight sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control.