Redempton for Harrison

Olympic champion back in world title hunt after Prizefighter win

Last updated: 3rd October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Redempton for Harrison

Harrison: Redemption

It's a great opportunity for me now to move forward with my career. I've had a long road, a tough road, and a lot of things I've been spouting out about, now's not the time.

Audley Harrison
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Audley Harrison felt like he had achieved a measure of redemption after claiming the Prizefighter III title in London on Friday night.

Olympic champion Harrison came out on top after eight heavyweights went at it at the ExCel Arena for the Prizefighter crown.

Fierce rival Danny Williams went out early, but 'A-Force' beat Scott Belshaw, Danny Hughes and Coleman Barrett to claim the trophy and £32,000 first prize.

Much more was at stake for Harrison though, who had flown in from his new base in America to prove he still has a career at the top level - and can also still achieve his dream of winning a world title.

After lifting the Prizefighter trophy, Harrison says that he felt his redemption was complete after rattling off three wins in one night.

Redemption

"Every time I come back to England it's like a personal redemption," Harrison told Sky Sports after his win.

"I told people I've still got a lot left, I've got a lot to prove. It's been a terrible campaign against me which I haven't talked about by the BBC which forced me out of the country.

"The time will come when I'll talk about that properly but that's why I left the country, I didn't leave the country because I couldn't fight, I left the country because I was told to give up my promotional rights or I was going to lose my contract."

Harrison was delighted to have won the trophy, and feels that grabbing three more victories will help him in his next fight to come.

"It feels very good to be back in the frame, the door was kind of closed for me in the UK market. I've come back with three fights and three victories.

Opportunity

"It's a great opportunity for me now to move forward with my career. I've had a long road, a tough road, and a lot of things I've been spouting out about, now's not the time, but it's been tough.

"I'm grateful of the opportunity, grateful to Barry Hearn and grateful to be back on British television."

Harrison still believes he can go on to win a world heavyweight title, and he thinks Prizefighter can be a springboard.

"100 percent I believe I can be a world champion. All I had was a dream, to be my own manager, my own promoter and win the world title.

"That dream was taken away from me so hopefully I'm going to be able to sit down now with Matchroom and we're going to strike an alliance to take me to the world title."