Sun 16 Apr, 3:09 AM


Audley Harrison insists he has no intention of hanging up his gloves despite suffering a second successive defeat in California.


A lacklustre Harrison was easily beaten on points by America's Dominick Guinn in a 10-round contest at Rancho Mirage, going down by scores of 98-92 and 97-93 twice to a man who had won only one of his previous five bouts.

Guinn out-worked the former Olympic gold medallist, who was making his first appearance in the ring since his dreadful defeat to fellow Briton Danny Williams in December.

The 30-year-old American was able to score with some frequency to the body and head on the inside and although the fight sparked into life in the last minute of the final round Guinn won a unanimous points decision to cast further doubts over Harrison's future in the sport.

However, a defiant Harrison said: "I've got to re-galvanise myself. Dominick Guinn is a good fighter and I went 10 rounds with him.

"I wasn't hurt at all at any time but I just didn't put my foot on the gas. I'm obviously disappointed but I've just got to go back to the drawing board. This ain't over yet.

"I had a good training camp. The team sacrificed a lot and I sacrificed a lot but I just didn't get the victory.

"I've got to keep working at it. I'm close but I just haven't come over the mountain yet. I'm going to get there. I'll work it out, definitely.

"Guinn is obviously going to move forward and I'm going to move back. I've got to sit down with the team and see where we go from here. But if the mind is willing and the body is able, there will be opportunities.

"Frank Bruno went for world titles three or four times and eventually he got there.

"It's not about lack of talent or dedication. I'm just not getting it right.

"We're going to figure it out but I know I've got to let my hands go more. I came on strong in the end but it wasn't enough," quotes The Sunday Telegraph.