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Harrison remains defiant over past failures

Audley Harrison will attempt to relieve David Haye of the WBA world heavyweight title when they meet on November 13

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Audley Harrison has shed light on his sensational fall from grace when his relationship with the BBC completely broke down, confessing that when he lost his deal with the corporation it was the "biggest blow of my entire career".

After shooting to prominence by winning a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Harrison signed a £1 million contract with the BBC, taking his career to new heights.

Unfortunately for the Brit, following 17 fights on the network - of which few were against top quality opposition - he fell out of favour and his career began to head on a downward spiral.

"I was winning, I was realising my potential," Harrison tod The Sun. "I was 19 and 0. In 2004 Ring Magazine, the bible of boxing, hailed me as the future of the heavyweight division, so obviously my career was going in the right direction. But all of a sudden my career took a fall.

"My relationship with the BBC soured and went from one where they were supporting me to one where they were fighting with me. It ended up with me losing my deal and that was the biggest blow I have suffered in my entire career."

Harrison was touted as Britain's next world heavyweight champion after Lennox Lewis, but despite it being his 'destiny' to emulate Lewis, 'A-force' hasn't been able to land a world title.

"I honestly felt in my heart and soul that I could go on to be world champion and by 2004-05 I was convinced I could become the undisputed No. 1. But now I see that it just wasn't my time and I realise I wasn't ready to be the next Lennox Lewis. I know now that you can't have what you want until you are ready for it," he said.

During his agreement with the BBC, Harrison came under fierce criticism for ducking his main rivals in the heavyweight division - prompting sections of the media to rename him 'Fraudley' and 'Audinary' - but the Olympic gold medallist was quick to defend his record, refuting claims that the BBC did not get value for money.

"I had an exclusive contract with the BBC and all the other major heavyweights like Danny Williams, Matt Skelton, Michael Sprott and Julius Francis were contracted exclusively to Sky, so that's why I couldn't fight any of them. But I fought the best of the bunch that were available," he said.

"The BBC did get value for money. That was a fair market value at the time, especially as it was a sports entertainment contract. And when you look at the money BBC presenters get, like Jonathan Ross on a £12 million deal, the Beeb definitely got me on the cheap because I was getting better viewing figures than any of their presenters or entertainers."

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