Matchroom Boxing: Sprott Claims Audley Lacking In Heart

© Lawrence Lustig

Michael Sprott has accused Audley Harrison of ‘lacking heart’ ahead of Friday’s clash for the vacant European Heavyweight Championship.

Olympic gold medalist Harrison responded by saying it would be ‘miraculous’ if Sprott beat him for a second time at London’s Alexandra Palace. The pair fought before in February 2007 with Sprott winning with a third round knockout.

“I’m confident I’m going to win again,” said Sprott, who has sparred with WBC Champion Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir, the IBF, WBO and IBO Champion title holder.

“Audley is not a pushover and he has got skill and proved himself by winning the Olympic gold medal in 2000. But he lacks a bit of heart and we will see if he has got the heart to beat me on Friday.

“I’ve been training for four weeks in the Klitschko camp and they are two supreme athletes. I’ve learnt a lot from them, they are two great punchers and Audley cannot punch anything like the Klitschkos can.”

However, an angry Harrison insisted he would gain revenge over Sprott and claimed he was two fights away from fighting for a world title.

“I’m on a different level to Michael Sprott,” said Harrison at today’s press conference at the Hendon Hall Hotel.

“Who was the first guy to teach [WBC Super-Middleweight Champion] Carl Froch about mental toughness? Me. Adversity is my friend and my heart is as big as anyone’s out there. Lightning will not strike twice.

“I’m focused, hungry, dedicated and on Friday I’m putting everything on the line – I have to win. Michael needs to miraculously find a way to win, but that will not happen. Losing is not an option for me. Trust me. Whatever it takes, I’m getting my hand raised.

“When I left England I was 17-0 and Ring Magazine, the bible of boxing, had me as the future of heavyweight boxing. I’m a late bloomer. I started boxing at 19 and won an Olympic gold medal at 29.

“All the talk was about David Haye when we were amateurs but I came in to the Olympics and stole the glory from him. David is the star at the moment and he did what he had to do on Saturday against John Ruiz.

“It’s great for British boxing and long may it continue but I’m sure the Klitschkos saw things in Haye that they can exploit. I’m two fights away from the Klitschkos. Alexander Dimitrenko is the number one in the rankings so I’ll beat him and I’m confident of getting to the Klitschkos before Haye does.”

Tickets for the Harrison v Sprott clash on April 9 cost £30 and £60 and are available from www.seetickets.com or 0871 230 7148.