• Heavyweight

Audley back and in love with boxing

ESPN staff
April 25, 2013
Audley Harrison has not given up hope of securing a world title © Getty Images
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Audley Harrison has admitted he fell out of love with boxing, but ahead of his fight with Deontay Wilder the British heavyweight claims he is back.

Harrison burst onto the scene when winning Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000 and was tipped for big things.

The promise has never been translated into results and six losses on his record have seen him fail to get his hands on a world title.

His career looked over when he was flattened by David Price last year, but he returned to win Prizefighter for a second time and claims he is now back on the up.

He faces unbeaten American Deontay Wilder at the weekend and it is likely to be make or break for Harrison.

"It's taken me a long time to get back to where I am today," Harrison said at Thursday's press conference. "I fell out of love with boxing. But I'm back!

"I know Deontay Wilder is dangerous and I respect him as a rising star but I'm back."

Wilder has been tipped to be the saviour of American heavyweight boxing and brings a lofty reputation with him to Sheffield.

He is a heavy favourite to topple Harrison, but he is not taking the Brit lightly.

"He's like a big brother to me but this is business," Wilder said. "I'm trying to get to the top.

"Audley Harrison is a warrior, he falls and gets back up so I'm not taking him lightly.

"I've been given the nickname 'Knockout King' and I want to keep it. I'm lean and mean, I'm slick and on Saturday you'll see the bom bsquad."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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