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Audley Harrison will seek a world heavyweight title shot against David Haye should the two British fighters win their bouts in early April. Harrison's promoter, Eddie Hearn, said he discussed the possibility with Haye earlier this week and received enough encouragement to believe it could take place in August.
Harrison has spoken of his desire to become a world heavyweight champion since turning professional soon after the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he won a gold medal. But the boxer looked to have blown his chances with a series of unconvincing displays culminating with defeat to Belfast cab driver Martin Rogan in December 2008.
However, he triumphed on his return to the ring at October's Prizefighter event and next faces the highly regarded Pole Albert Sosnowski for the European heavyweight title on 9 April. That contest comes six days after Haye makes the first defence of his WBA belt against the American John Ruiz at Manchester's MEN Arena. Victory for both could lead to what Hearn said would be the "biggest fight this country has ever seen".
"It would sell out Wembley Stadium, I have no doubt about that," he said. "Audley is desperate for a shot at a world title and we have no qualms about facing David Haye. Don't get me wrong, Haye is a top fighter and he put in a brilliant performance to win the title from Nikolai Valuev but, in truth, he's a pumped-up cruiserweight whereas Audley is a proper heavyweight who can really ****."
"I met David at an event on Tuesday and told him that we're coming to get him. His eyes lit up," said Hearn. "He told me to come talk to him and Adam Booth [Haye's trainer] after our respective fights and that is what I plan to do. If everything goes to plan, the fight could happen this year, maybe August-September time. We're happy for David to have the majority share of the purse. Money is not the issue for Audley, he just wants the chance to finally prove himself at world level
Harrison has spoken of his desire to become a world heavyweight champion since turning professional soon after the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he won a gold medal. But the boxer looked to have blown his chances with a series of unconvincing displays culminating with defeat to Belfast cab driver Martin Rogan in December 2008.
However, he triumphed on his return to the ring at October's Prizefighter event and next faces the highly regarded Pole Albert Sosnowski for the European heavyweight title on 9 April. That contest comes six days after Haye makes the first defence of his WBA belt against the American John Ruiz at Manchester's MEN Arena. Victory for both could lead to what Hearn said would be the "biggest fight this country has ever seen".
"It would sell out Wembley Stadium, I have no doubt about that," he said. "Audley is desperate for a shot at a world title and we have no qualms about facing David Haye. Don't get me wrong, Haye is a top fighter and he put in a brilliant performance to win the title from Nikolai Valuev but, in truth, he's a pumped-up cruiserweight whereas Audley is a proper heavyweight who can really ****."
"I met David at an event on Tuesday and told him that we're coming to get him. His eyes lit up," said Hearn. "He told me to come talk to him and Adam Booth [Haye's trainer] after our respective fights and that is what I plan to do. If everything goes to plan, the fight could happen this year, maybe August-September time. We're happy for David to have the majority share of the purse. Money is not the issue for Audley, he just wants the chance to finally prove himself at world level
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