Audley Harrison has explained that a long-standing injury was behind his lamentable world title challenge against David Haye.
Harrison sets the record straight ahead of latest comeback
Audley Harrison has explained that a long-standing injury was behind his lamentable world title challenge against David Haye.
The former Olympic gold medalist will make his comeback on Saturday week against Ali Adams, some 18 months after he was blown away by Haye inside three rounds.
For many, it was clearly the end of the line in a career that failed to deliver on the promise of his amateur achievements.
But one, surely final, comeback awaits and Harrison - now in his 41st year - wants to put that forgetable performance against Haye, when he barely threw a punch, behind him.
Harrison had suffered a torn pectoral muscle early in his European title fight against Michael Sprott, before a huge left hook in the final round gave him the win after he looked destined to lose on points.
But it seems that the injury still hadn't healed when he was offered the Haye fight.
Operation
"I want to be honest about why I took the fight with David Haye," he said. "It was the first time in my career that I took a fight that was not about the glory, and it showed in my mentality and confidence on fight night.
"My doctors told me after the Sprott fight, your pec has already torn; another operation is likely not to be successful. I told them 'operate anyway; I refuse to retire now.'
"I was forced to give up my European title and was told stay away from any contact for at least 12 months and see what happens.
"I was in rehab when the fight offer from Hayemaker came through. I deliberated for days about whether to take it and I spoke with many people, but the final decision was mine.
"With the money that was on the table, plus the chance to be involved in a world heavyweight title fight against my protégé, was too much to turn down. I thought 'you've got the shot you have always wanted, but you're not going to be physically ready to fight. But...you've got to take it...'
"It hasn't helped my legacy, but I can live with that. In 2011, I found a way to create some goodwill with my appearance on Strictly Come Dancing and I made my body heal.
"Through my trials and tribulations, people will come to understand the power of never ever giving up."
Lesson
Next opponent Ali Adams only has a modest record and shouldn't give Harrison too many problems - provided the veteran's heart is still in it.
"This training camp has tested my resolve to remain a prizefighter, as every injury I've ever had has come back to plague me in this camp, " he added.
"I know its dangerous to look past an opponent, especially when they are hungry and motivated like Ali Adams, but let's be honest, I'm in a different league.
"After I give Ali Adams a lesson in the sweet science, I'm looking for a challenge with one of the upcoming heavyweights. I'm throwing my name into the hat with David Price, Tyson Fury, Jonathan Banks or Seth Mitchell."
Meanwhile, Liverpool's David Price will be looking to inject fresh impetus into the domestic heavyweight scene when he takes on Sam Sexton for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles at Aintree on Saturday, live on Sky Sports HD 1.
