Boxers with degrees, Good or Bad?

Audley Harrison became the first Briton since Chris Finnegan to win a boxing gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. He graduated from Brunel in 1999 with a BSc honours degree in Sport Sciences with Leisure Management. During his studies Audley was able to take time to achieve his sporting goals. He took advantage of this with great effect, forging a successful path through the amateur ranks, winning gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, taking first place at the Acropolis Cup in Greece in 2000, and establishing himself as a serious contender for Sydney. Whilst at Brunel, he showed his commitment to his sport and to his community by running a boxing club for fellow students and local youngsters. In the final at the Games, he was battling an injury to his knuckle as well as his opponent, Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov of Kazakhstan. Nevertheless, he ran out a comfortable victor with 30 points to 16. He was honoured with an MBE in the 2000-2001 New Year's Honours List, and turned professional, joining forces with the BBC to bring boxing back to a terrestrial audience. He formed "A-Force Promotions" to manage Audley Harrison promotions and fights, demonstrating considerable business acumen. In his first professional year Audley won all three of his fights to lay the foundations of his professional career. In 2002, he came up with five impressive victories. The last of these, a two minute and nine second demolition of the American, Shawn Robinson, marked Audley's US debut. Audley has achieved outstanding results in sport and in business and the University is proud to be honouring him today. February 2003