By Mark Vester
The Sun reports that Michael Sprott is looking to knock Audley Harrison out when they meet on Feb. 17 at the Wembley Arena in England. The two former sparring partners are set to do battle in a growing grudge match. Sprott had to sign a contract with a confidentiality clause that restricts him from talking about any of their sparring sessions.
“It was early in Audley’s career and lots was being written about him. He was keen that no stories about our sessions got out so he made me sign a confidentiality clause. I was happy to go along with it and I still can’t talk about what happened back then because the agreement is still legally binding," Sprott said.
"Did I ever put Audley on his backside during those sessions? Well ... I can’t say, can I?”
It was said that Sprott looked in terrific shape as he made his final preparations at the Cityboxer gym in London. He told reporters that he is confident that he will knock Harrison out on Saturday. While he can't say what happened years ago, the sparring sessions with Harrison put a smile on Sprott's face.
“I’ve nothing against Audley. He is a nice guy but this is all about business and fighting him represents a big opportunity for me, forget about him. I have my own ambitions about becoming world champion and beating Audley will put me up there with the big names. Obviously I know all about how Harrison fights from our sparring days and that is why I am so confident," Sprott said.
Sprott knows that Harrison is riding a streak with his recent knockout of Danny Williams in December, but he feels that Harrison looked so good in the fight because Williams took the fight on short notice and had no time to prepare.
“A lot of people are saying Audley just has to turn up to win because of how he beat Danny Williams in his last bout. I turned down the chance to fight Audley instead of Danny because I was not in full training. Danny took it at just eight days’ notice. Audley has some physical advantages being 6ft 5in and with a long reach but I box stronger. This is my 40th fight, this is my time. I will get rid of him as quick as I can and it will be my name up there not his.”
