Tweet
Originally posted by BBC Sport
Audley Harrison's camp says it is "in discussions" with WBA title-holder David Haye over an all-British heavyweight showdown later this year.
Harrison, 38, has vacated the European crown he won with a last-gasp knockout of Michael Sprott in April.
But the Olympic champions says he will be ready to fight in October having recovered from a torn pectoral muscle.
"David Haye is a false prophet. One punch and that chin will shatter like glass," said Harrison.
"If I was him I'd keep running from the Klitschkos and keep beating up on shop-worn American heavyweights.
"I'm told by my promoters that both David Haye and the Klitschko brothers have expressed an interest in facing me when I return after rehab.
"If it's either Klitschko brother the task will be hard, but that's how I want it. I respect both brothers as they are effective at what they do but both can be beat.
"Whatever the route I will find a way to fulfil my destiny and become heavyweight champion of the world."
Haye's manager and trainer Adam Booth was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
Vitali Klitschko, 38, is the WBC title-holder and laboured to a 10th-round knockout of Poland's Albert Sosnowski in his last fight last month.
Sosnowski held the European title before Harrison and was scheduled to fight the 2000 Olympic champion in April but opted for a clash with Vitali Klitschko instead.
Wladimir Klitschko, 34, is the IBF and WBO title-holder and was scheduled to fight Haye last year, only for the Englishman to withdraw with a back injury.
Haye went on to fight Nikolay Valuev for the WBA belt instead, outpointed the Russian in Nuremburg last November.
Haye, 29, knocked out former world champion John Ruiz in nine rounds in April, since when he has been non-committal about his future.
But Harrison's promoter Eddie Hearn has no doubts as to what Haye's next move should be, calling a match between the two Londoners potentially "the biggest the UK has ever seen".
"Everyone wants to fight Audley because they know what he brings to the table," added Hearn, the son of veteran promoter Barry.
"He will be installed as the mandatory challenger for the European title but we are also in discussions with the Klitchkos and David Haye and Adam Booth regarding a world title shot later this year.
"Audley's last two appearances in the UK have attracted record viewing figures, so couple that with David Haye's popularity and the fight is huge."
Since winning gold at the Sydney Olympics, Harrison's professional career has been a rollercoaster affair and before his victory over Sprott in April he had never been in possession of a recognised title.
His career looked all but over before his triumph in Barry Hearn's Prizefighter heavyweight tournament last October and he was behind on points against Sprott before producing a stunning left hook in the final round.
And while Eddie Hearn might be overstating things when he says a match between Haye and Harrison, who used to be close friends, is potentially the biggest in British history, it would certainly appeal to many boxing fans.
Harrison, 38, has vacated the European crown he won with a last-gasp knockout of Michael Sprott in April.
But the Olympic champions says he will be ready to fight in October having recovered from a torn pectoral muscle.
"David Haye is a false prophet. One punch and that chin will shatter like glass," said Harrison.
"If I was him I'd keep running from the Klitschkos and keep beating up on shop-worn American heavyweights.
"I'm told by my promoters that both David Haye and the Klitschko brothers have expressed an interest in facing me when I return after rehab.
"If it's either Klitschko brother the task will be hard, but that's how I want it. I respect both brothers as they are effective at what they do but both can be beat.
"Whatever the route I will find a way to fulfil my destiny and become heavyweight champion of the world."
Haye's manager and trainer Adam Booth was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
Vitali Klitschko, 38, is the WBC title-holder and laboured to a 10th-round knockout of Poland's Albert Sosnowski in his last fight last month.
Sosnowski held the European title before Harrison and was scheduled to fight the 2000 Olympic champion in April but opted for a clash with Vitali Klitschko instead.
Wladimir Klitschko, 34, is the IBF and WBO title-holder and was scheduled to fight Haye last year, only for the Englishman to withdraw with a back injury.
Haye went on to fight Nikolay Valuev for the WBA belt instead, outpointed the Russian in Nuremburg last November.
Haye, 29, knocked out former world champion John Ruiz in nine rounds in April, since when he has been non-committal about his future.
But Harrison's promoter Eddie Hearn has no doubts as to what Haye's next move should be, calling a match between the two Londoners potentially "the biggest the UK has ever seen".
"Everyone wants to fight Audley because they know what he brings to the table," added Hearn, the son of veteran promoter Barry.
"He will be installed as the mandatory challenger for the European title but we are also in discussions with the Klitchkos and David Haye and Adam Booth regarding a world title shot later this year.
"Audley's last two appearances in the UK have attracted record viewing figures, so couple that with David Haye's popularity and the fight is huge."
Since winning gold at the Sydney Olympics, Harrison's professional career has been a rollercoaster affair and before his victory over Sprott in April he had never been in possession of a recognised title.
His career looked all but over before his triumph in Barry Hearn's Prizefighter heavyweight tournament last October and he was behind on points against Sprott before producing a stunning left hook in the final round.
And while Eddie Hearn might be overstating things when he says a match between Haye and Harrison, who used to be close friends, is potentially the biggest in British history, it would certainly appeal to many boxing fans.
.
Comment