• Boxing

Harrison loses out on opponent to Klitschko

ESPN staff
March 9, 2010
Audley Harrison won Prizefighter III © Getty Images
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Audley Harrison's European heavyweight title bout has been cancelled after his opponent agreed to fight Vitali Klitschko instead.

Poland's Albert Sosnowski will compete for the WBC heavyweight title on May 29 in Germany, a month after he was due to defend his European title against Harrison. The 2000 Olympic gold medallist earned a shot at the championship after winning the Prizefighter III tournament.

Klitschko, who is likely to face WBA heavyweight champion David Haye later this year if both still hold their titles, turned to the 31-year-old Pole after failing to agree a fight with Nikolai Valuev. Sosnowski, eager not to be portrayed as a second choice opponent, insisted that the Ukrainian will regret the decision to face-off against him.

"'It's a dream come true. Because of the Harrison fight I am already in training and suddenly here comes the once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight Klitschko," Sosnowski said.

"I want to thank him and his team for giving me that opportunity which I will definitely take. For me, Klitschko is already over the hill. I know that I am the underdog for everybody, but I tell you, Klitschko will regret that he picked me."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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