Heroic Harrison defies injury to win European title - 11/04/2010

BY MICHAEL EMONS

HEROIC Audley Harrison has saved his boxing career with a sensational last-round knockout to win the vacant European heavyweight title.

Harrison, who suffered a ripped tendon in his right shoulder in the second round, fought most of his fight against Michael Sprott using only one hand.

Audley Harrison knocks out Michael Sprott

Despite trailing and being two minutes away from a career-ending defeat, Harrison knocked out Sprott with a sensational left hook.

“I had an operation in 2002 when I ripped a tendon and I think I did the same thing again,” said 38-year-old Harrison in an exclusive interview with Matchroom Sport.

“The pain was excruciating but there was absolutely no way I was going to quit. Not once did I think about quitting. You open people up with the jab but because of my injury I didn’t have a jab but luckily I’m a quick learner. It was hard for me to pick up any rounds and I’ve never boxed on the orthodox side before.

“I felt so hampered but I never lost hope. In the sixth I hurt him with an uppercut and a hook but it was hard to get going. My career was on the line so losing wasn’t an option. I had to find a way to win and I knew the left would be the one that gets him. When it landed I just walked away because I knew it was over.

“It’s definitely the best punch I’ve ever thrown, especially in those circumstances, but it would’ve knocked out anyone – including the Klitschkos. It was championship-winning material. It was a Hail Mary of a punch that would’ve taken out any heavyweight in the world.”

After winning Olympic gold in 2000, Harrison’s professional career had, before this win, failed to live up to its early promise. He admitted he was in ‘the last-chance saloon’ ahead of this Matchroom Sport-promoted contest at Alexandra Palace in north London.

In the build-up, Sprott, 35, claimed Harrison did not have the heart to beat him but Harrison believed the manner of this victory would silence his critics.

“I would like someone to ask Michael if he still thinks I have no heart,” added an emotional Harrison, who is expected to be out of action for at least six weeks. “I showed a lot of courage to fight with one hand and I showed the heart and desire that I wanted to become the European champion.

“Winning the gold medal is something no one can take away but this is sweet and has brought tears to my eyes. People have said a lot of bad things about me and I’m crying because I’m proud of what I’ve done in these circumstances.

“When you work hard you get your rewards and I work hard every day in the gym. Some people do not understand but I’m real and I don’t make any apologies for who I am. For me to find that shot when I needed it most says something about me. I said it would be something special and no one can say that wasn’t special."

“I have a tick next to determination, a tick next to pride, a tick next to heart and a tick next to punching power. I did 12 gruelling rounds, most of them with one hand.

“I showed plenty of bottle, plenty of desire, plenty of spirit and plenty of heart – any boxer could see that. The battle was hard and I wanted it to be hard. Now people can see how much I want to be a world champion and there is no doubt in my mind that I will be one before I retire, no matter what people say about me.”

Audley Harrison is the European champion

Darren Barker claimed the vacant European Middleweight Championship with a hard-fought unanimous points win over Frenchman Affif Belghecham.

Barnet-based Barker, who was fighting in front of his home crowd at the Alexandra Palace, got the verdict by 116-112, 118-110 and 116-114 margins to extend his undefeated record to 22 contests.

However, Barker who now holds the British, Commonwealth and European belts, was not satisfied with his night’s work.

“It wasn’t a good night and I’ve learnt a lesson to never under-estimate an opponent,” said Barker.

“My original plan was to do the opposite of what everyone thought I would do and try to force a stoppage.

“I won the belt but was far from happy with my performance. It’s job done and I’m still improving but there is a lot more to come from me. Everyone is entitled to a bad night and that was a bad night.

“I know I’m better than that, but I still have to take the positive – that I’m now the European champion as well.

“It might have looked like I was panicking in the last round, even though I felt comfortable and I should’ve stayed in the centre of the ring more.

“I know I’m capable of becoming a world champion and, although it wasn’t my best performance, it’s a great achievement to be British, Commonwealth and European champion.

Elsewhere, popular light-welterweight prospect Chris Evangelou delighted his fans with a 49-second knockout win against Marius Jasutis, while the heavyweight clash between Danny Hughes and Paul Morris ended a draw.

Former Prizefighter winners Michael Lomax and Gavin Rees won their contests on points against Dave Ryan (welterweight) and Abdoulaye Soukouna (lightweight) respectively.

Cruiserweight Terry Dunstan claimed a first round knockout win against Hastings Rasani, while featherweight Troy James remains undefeated after stopping Faoud El Behji in the fourth of their scheduled six-round contest.

Alexandra Palace, London
Friday 9 April 2009
12 x 3 mins Vacant European Heavyweight Championship
AUDLEY HARRISON (Wembley) bt MICHAEL SPROTT (Reading) – KO R12

12 x 3 mins Vacant European Middleweight Championship @ 11st 6lbs
DARREN BARKER (Barnet) bt AFFIF BELGHECHAM (France) – PTS 116-112, 118-110,116-114

6 x 3 mins Welterweweight Contest @ 10st 7lbs
MICHAEL LOMAX (Chingford) bt DAVE RYAN (Nottingham) - PTS

6 x 3 mins Cruiserweight Contest @ 14st 8lbs
TERRY DUNSTAN (Tottenham) bt HASTINGS RASANAI (Birmingham) – KO R1

6 x 3 mins Heavyweight Contest
DANNY HUGHES (Sunderland) drew with PAUL MORRIS (Preston) – 58-58

6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest @ 9st 12lbs
GAVIN REES (Newbridge) bt ABDOULAYE SOUKANA (France) - PTS

4 x 3 mins Featherweight Contest @ 9st 2lbs
TROY JAMES (Coventry) bt FAOUD EL BAHJI (France) – TKO R4

4 x 3 mins Light-Welterweight Contest @ 10st 2lbs
CHRIS EVANGELOU (Wood Green) bt MARIUS JASUTIS (Peterborough) – KO R1