He signed a £1million (US$1.60 million) deal with the BBC, released a book and set up his own promotion company.
The deal proved spectacularly ill-advised, the book sank without trace and 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight boxing gold medalist Audley Harrison was widely derided after a series of mismatches over the course of a decade against some woeful opponents.
Now, to general disbelief, the 39-year-old Briton known variously as “Fraudley Audley,” “Ordinary” and “Audrey” “is just one punch away from becoming a world heavyweight champion.
Harrison fights compatriot David Haye, a former world cruiserweight champion, in Manchester today for the WBA heavyweight title.
Harrison has never lacked self-belief, constantly reinventing himself in the face of widespread skepticism, and believes it is his destiny to win a world title. He is also undeniably talented, although his persistent reluctance to throw a serious punch infuriates fans.
There also exists in some quarters a sneaking admiration for the sheer gall of a man who earned a small fortune for doing very little.
The key for Harrison has been to do just enough often enough to keep himself in contention for a title shot in the fractured world of modern prize fighting with its various governing bodies.
He has also been helped by the apparent unwillingness of contenders in the heavyweight division, including Haye, to tangle with IBF, WBO and IBO champion Vladimir Klitschko. To add to the confusion, Klitschko’s elder brother Vitali is the WBC champion.
Haye, 30, has said he is desperate to fight one of the Klitshckos before retiring. The Ukrainian brothers believe Haye has no intention of fighting either of them. Instead Vladimir is scheduled to fight another Briton, Zimbabwe-born Dereck Chisora, on Dec. 11.
The plethora of available titles only helps Harrison. Clearly, nobody can be called a true world champion unless they defeat Vladimir Klitschko, a worthy successor to the great heavyweights of the past although the division has probably never been weaker.
Even one heavyweight belt would, to Harrison, justify him in the eyes of the world.
Harrison has lost to Danny Williams, Dominick Guinn, Michael Sprott and Martin Rogan, none of whom could be described as luminaries of the ring.
Yet a number of judges believe that Harrison has the height, strength and skills to beat Haye.
This belief is derived mainly from Harrison’s performance against Michael Sprott this year in a fight for the vacant European title.
Harrison was behind on all three cards going into the final round. He was also forced to fight as a southpaw from the second of the 12 rounds after injuring his right shoulder.
From this seemingly impossible position, Harrison threw a stunning left hook which sent Sprott sprawling on the canvas.
A similar punch today and Harrison will be a world champion.
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