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David Haye once slept on Audley Harrison’s floor, now the two do not speak. By winning the WBA heavyweight title, Haye fulfilled the destiny that the former Olympic gold medal-winner believes should have been his, but Harrison does not put the animosity between the pair down to jealousy and has hopes of challenging his fellow Briton for the title this year.
Harrison’s long and winding career path leads to Alexandra Palace, North London, on Friday, when he faces Michael Sprott for the vacant European heavyweight title.
The last time the pair met, at Wembley Arena in 2007, Sprott, from Reading, got off the floor to knock Harrison out cold. The 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight champion knows that a similar result would spell the end of his dream of a world title.
A European crown, however, could lead to a golden opportunity. Harrison, 38, was supposed to be challenging Albert Sosnowski for the title, but the Pole was offered a shot at Vitali Klitschko, the WBC champion, next month instead.
When Harrison was the main attraction after striking gold at the Sydney Olympics, Haye was treated favourably and there is a degree of antipathy towards the WBA heavyweight champion that such goodwill was not reciprocated during a time of need.
“I was the house fighter at the BBC and I put David on my shows,” Harrison said. “I laid out the red carpet to him. When I lost to Martin Rogan [in 2008], I said, ‘Let me come on your undercard now you have a show with Setanta,’ and David didn’t even phone me.
“We had been buddies, we did everything together. I remember one time I was in Tenerife in a big party, David flew out and slept on the floor. I took him under my wing. I thought we were there for each other, to help each other out, but I realised that wasn’t really the case.”
Haye has spoken of his desire to have only four more bouts, including unification matches against the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali. However, Sauerland Event, the German promoter, has options on Haye’s next two bouts, one of which is supposed to be a rematch with Nikolay Valuev, the 7ft Russian from whom he won the title last November.
It is unlikely that the Klitschkos would be keen to work with Sauerland, leaving Haye to seek alternatives. With the world’s top ten short on recognisable faces, should Haye be looking to box in London, Harrison would be an ideal opponent if he can prove himself a credible opponent.
If Harrison gains revenge over Sprott, 35, who has been a regular sparring partner to the Klitschkos. he hopes to defend against Alexander Dimitrenko, a 6ft 7in Ukrainian.
“I’m going to force the issue by fighting my No 1 contender straight away,” Harrison said. “Dimitrenko is ranked in the top ten of the WBA, IBF and WBO. I’m going to earn my chance. It’s not an easy way, but it is the quickest way to the top. When we were coming through and in the amateurs, all the hype was about David. But I won the gold medal and that has gone full circle. All the hype is about David again.”
Harrison was not over-impressed by Haye’s win over John Ruiz last weekend. “As a fighter he was entertaining and he’s carried his punch up to heavyweight, but the Chris Arreolas of this world and the Klitschkos will see weaknesses,” he said.
“I’m 38 but I only started at 19 and won the Olympics within ten years. After ten years as a professional, I know how to fight.”
• Antonio Margarito, the former WBA welterweight champion, is to make his comeback in Mexico on May 8 against Roberto García, 16 months after it was discovered that his trainer had applied a plaster-like substance to his hand wraps before a bout against Shane Mosley in what became known as the “Hands of Stone” scandal. Margarito, who was stopped by Mosley after being made to rewrap his hands, remains banned in the United States.
Harrison’s long and winding career path leads to Alexandra Palace, North London, on Friday, when he faces Michael Sprott for the vacant European heavyweight title.
The last time the pair met, at Wembley Arena in 2007, Sprott, from Reading, got off the floor to knock Harrison out cold. The 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight champion knows that a similar result would spell the end of his dream of a world title.
A European crown, however, could lead to a golden opportunity. Harrison, 38, was supposed to be challenging Albert Sosnowski for the title, but the Pole was offered a shot at Vitali Klitschko, the WBC champion, next month instead.
When Harrison was the main attraction after striking gold at the Sydney Olympics, Haye was treated favourably and there is a degree of antipathy towards the WBA heavyweight champion that such goodwill was not reciprocated during a time of need.
“I was the house fighter at the BBC and I put David on my shows,” Harrison said. “I laid out the red carpet to him. When I lost to Martin Rogan [in 2008], I said, ‘Let me come on your undercard now you have a show with Setanta,’ and David didn’t even phone me.
“We had been buddies, we did everything together. I remember one time I was in Tenerife in a big party, David flew out and slept on the floor. I took him under my wing. I thought we were there for each other, to help each other out, but I realised that wasn’t really the case.”
Haye has spoken of his desire to have only four more bouts, including unification matches against the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali. However, Sauerland Event, the German promoter, has options on Haye’s next two bouts, one of which is supposed to be a rematch with Nikolay Valuev, the 7ft Russian from whom he won the title last November.
It is unlikely that the Klitschkos would be keen to work with Sauerland, leaving Haye to seek alternatives. With the world’s top ten short on recognisable faces, should Haye be looking to box in London, Harrison would be an ideal opponent if he can prove himself a credible opponent.
If Harrison gains revenge over Sprott, 35, who has been a regular sparring partner to the Klitschkos. he hopes to defend against Alexander Dimitrenko, a 6ft 7in Ukrainian.
“I’m going to force the issue by fighting my No 1 contender straight away,” Harrison said. “Dimitrenko is ranked in the top ten of the WBA, IBF and WBO. I’m going to earn my chance. It’s not an easy way, but it is the quickest way to the top. When we were coming through and in the amateurs, all the hype was about David. But I won the gold medal and that has gone full circle. All the hype is about David again.”
Harrison was not over-impressed by Haye’s win over John Ruiz last weekend. “As a fighter he was entertaining and he’s carried his punch up to heavyweight, but the Chris Arreolas of this world and the Klitschkos will see weaknesses,” he said.
“I’m 38 but I only started at 19 and won the Olympics within ten years. After ten years as a professional, I know how to fight.”
• Antonio Margarito, the former WBA welterweight champion, is to make his comeback in Mexico on May 8 against Roberto García, 16 months after it was discovered that his trainer had applied a plaster-like substance to his hand wraps before a bout against Shane Mosley in what became known as the “Hands of Stone” scandal. Margarito, who was stopped by Mosley after being made to rewrap his hands, remains banned in the United States.
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