Nasser Al Harbi might not be taking part in a career-defining test against an unbeaten Irishman, but he's just glad he's got a fight.The promising Brummie had been preparing for an early-July eight-round 'someones-0-has-to-go' showdown with globe-trotting Dubliner Dean Byrne, unblemished in 14, at the ExCel Arena.
But that Frank Warren-promoted show in the Capital was scrapped at the last-minute, leaving the 22-year-old with nothing on the horizon and little chance of a scrap until at least September.
However, he now takes part in a six-rounder in Luton on Sunday afternoon (July 31), on a Graham Earl bill at a cramped and bear pit-like Liquid nightclub, hoping to put eight months of frustration behind him.
Having built a solid-looking 11-fight (one quick win) undefeated ledger, as well as having an WBC Asian welterweight belt sitting on his mantlepiece at home, Al Harbi is a quick-fisted, skillful operator who has whipped two former Midland Area champions and whose accurate punching has handed defeats to two touted opponents.
Because of his record, his ability (shown in the contests and in sparring with the likes of Kell Brook and Anthony Small) and a touch of bad luck, fights haven't been jumping up and smacking him in the face.
But thanks to Earl, a former British lightweight champion, the neat-boxing Midlander at least gets the chance to shred some rust in the Bedfordshire town. Though an opponent has yet to have been announced for the Second City stylist at time of writing, he will just be happy to get his fists pumping in competitive action after a fight-free 2011 (his last outing taking place in December, when he won his WBC belt in Dubai).
Then, Nasser hopes, big fights and domestic title opportunities will follow next term with his influential new promoter Frank Warren.
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