Matchroom Boxing: Harrison Puts All On Line For Sprott Rematch

Audley Harrison will quit professional boxing if he fails to win the vacant European Heavyweight Championship on April 9.

Ex-Olympic gold medalist Harrison insists he will hang up his gloves if he loses against Michael Sprott at London’s Alexandra Palace.

“I’m calling this revenge or retirement,” said 38-year-old Harrison in an interview with Sky Sports News. “If I can’t get revenge over Michael Sprott then my career can’t go forward.

“If I can’t beat him then there’s nowhere else to go. That’s the mentality I’m going in the ring with – I have to go and win this to move to the next level.

“I will retire if I don’t win this so we know what’s going to happen – I’m going to win this fight, no doubt.”

Harrison and Sprott fought in February 2007 with Sprott winning with a third round knockout. But Harrison, who saved his career by winning Prizefighter Heavyweights 3 in October, is adamant the result will be different this time.

“I was scheduled to be fighting Albert Sosnowski for the title but he got poached by (WBC Champion) Vitali Klitschko so we had to find the next available challenger,” added Harrison.

“That man was Michael Sprott and he is ranked seventh in the European rankings but I feel like I’ve been blessed to get this opportunity.

“I made some major errors in my first fight with Sprott and he was able to knock me out. I’ve been looking forward to avenging that defeat and the fact it’s for a European title is a double boost for me.

“Albert Sosnowski didn’t even defend his European title and he only won it in December so fighting for a world title is definitely a reality for me.

“Everyone is talking about the Klitschko brothers (Vitali and IBF / WBO Champion Wladimir) so these are the guys that I will be targeting.

“I would love to fight (WBA Champion) David Haye but I want to get one of the belts and the real champions are the Klitschko brothers.

“The recent fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Eddie Chambers, even though it wasn’t a good one, was still sold to 110 countries so it shows the Klitschkos are who the world is talking about.

“Michael Sprott has beaten me once but this is going to be a real fight and a real tear-up as I’ve got something to prove.”

Tickets for the show at Alexandra Palace on April 9 cost £30 and £60 and are available from www.seetickets.com or 0871 230 7148.