• Boxing

Harrison calls out Fury - then issues ultimatum

ESPN staff
July 27, 2011
Audley Harrison is a former Olympic and European champion © Getty Images
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A couple of days after winning the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, Tyson Fury has been challenged to a bout by Audley Harrison, who has set a deadline of Monday for negotiations to commence.

Fury outpointed Dereck Chisora at Wembley on Saturday to claim his titles, producing an impressive performance on his way to a triumph that was expected to be the precursor to a fight against Wladimir Klitschko later this year.

But Fury says he is in no hurry to fight the WBO, WBA and IBF champion, which brings several domestic heavyweights into play for his next battle. An Irish title scrap with Martin Rogan, who famously beat Harrison in 2008, looked the most likely option until Harrison threw his hat into the ring.

Although Harrison was booed out of the arena after his last fight, a third-round loss to David Haye, he remains a well-known name who would guarantee a large audience for Fury, and a significant scalp on his CV if he can triumph.

"I'm interested in the fight. U know my number! If we don't discuss this by end of this week. I'll move on…," Harrison tweeted. "Just in case fury and mick [Hennessy, Fury's promoter] want some of this, I need to get in shape. Better to prepared and it not come, than it come and I'm not prepared."

Harrison was expected to retire from boxing after losing to Haye, but has confirmed on Twitter he will remain active throughout 2012.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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