Audley Harrison is facing being hit hard financially following his abject defeat to WBA heavyweight champion David Haye on Saturday.

Harrison barely threw a punch before being stopped in three rounds, with the 39-year-old being criticised for his performance.

And the British Board of Boxing of Control have confirmed that they will now "have to consider" withholding some or all of Harrison's purse for the fight.

"It is a very difficult course to take to stop someone getting paid when they have just frozen," said BBBC secretary Robert Smith.

"But rescinding some of Audley Harrison's purse is something which we will have to consider.

"You have to bear in mind it was such a letdown for the 22,000 at the MEN Arena and the thousands watching at home.

"The board have rescinded purses when we feel a fighter has not tried. He did nothing all night.

"I think it would be extremely harsh to withhold money from him. However, the board will look at it when all the reports come in. But I wouldn't have thought so."

Statement

Harrison later released a statement saying he will consider his future in the ring.

"To my family, my team and the fans who got behind me on this journey to overthrow David Haye and become heavyweight champion, I'm sorry I was unable to walk through the door and fulfil my destiny," it read.

"I can promise I cut no corners in training and did all I could do in getting myself ready both physically and mentally for Saturday's fight.

"Ultimately, I didn't get going and my game plan to take over the fight in the later rounds was extinguished by the power and speed of David Haye who caught me clean around my guard.

"If I wanted an easy way out, I would have stayed down from the knockdown, but I rose and the referee's intervention saved me from a potentially bad knockout as David is a good finisher, but I would have gladly left the ring on a stretcher as I wanted to work my way through it.

"I make no excuses and I'm not sure where I go from here in boxing, but I'll lick my wounds, take some time out with my family and see what I want to do."