Audley Harrison aims to recapture golden sparkle in Prizefighter
Audley Harrison believes winning the Prizefighter Heavyweights III tournament will help relaunch his career
By LEN WHALEY
Audley Harrison admits he has failed to fulfil his potential after winning Olympic gold in 2000 but believes winning tomorrow's Prizefighter Heavyweights III will bring new life to his career.
The eight-man, one-night heavyweight event takes place at the ExCeL Arena in Docklands on Friday and the draw, which was made by former undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, allows for a final showdown between 37-year-old Harrison and British champion Danny Williams.
The pair have already clashed twice at the same venue, with Harrison winning on a third-round TKO in 2006 after losing a split points decision to Williams a year earlier.
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"I had plans to be the heavyweight champion of the world in four or five years and it hasn't gone the way I wanted, but ultimately I still believe I'm going to achieve that goal," said former Repton hero Harrison, who now lives in the United States.
Williams has made no secret of his burning desire to crush Harrison if they meet in the final with the �32,000 winner's prize at stake.
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"There is one reason why I am entering Prizefighter - and that reason is Audley Harrison," Williams said.
Yet Harrison is confident of overcoming his nemesis and handing Williams a defeat that could see him stripped of his British title.
"If Danny is opposing me in the final, I am confident that, despite his relentless urge to crush me, I will win," insisted Harrison.
The former Repton favourite turned pro in a blaze of publicity backed by a lucrative contract with the BBC following his Olympic triumph nine years ago.
But his form faded after a series of one-sided early wins and following the Williams setback he was beaten by American Dominick Guinn, Reading's Michael Sprott and Belfast slugger Martin Rogan.
At the age of 37 'A-Force' still hopes to prove his career has a bright future as well as a golden past, but he knows he must sparkle on Friday night.
Prizefighter will be shown live on Sky Sports from 9pm on Friday. Tickets are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.