Audley Harrison to face former Olympic medal winner in title bout

The 40-year-old former gold medal winner will face David Price in a bid for respectability - and championship belts - at the end of a disappointing professional career.

Audley Harrison covers up to avoid David Haye during their fight in 2010
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LIVERPOOL, UK // Audley Harrison has vowed to carry the fight to David Price when the two former Olympians battle for the British and Commonwealth titles.

Harrison's abysmal three-round capitulation against David Haye in 2010, during which the terrified Olympic gold medallist barely threw a punch, has permanently stained his reputation.

But the 40-year-old refuses to end a hugely disappointing professional career and is determined to seize Price's heavyweight titles.

"Whatever way you look at it, it's a crossroads fight between two Olympic medal winners," he said.

"It's uncertain which direction I'm headed in while David is on the way up.

"My career has had tremendous highs and incredible lows. I've ridden the ship as best I can.

"On a few occasions I haven't shown up which has really hurt my reputation, but I will show up in Liverpool.

"I have the spirit and tenacity to dust myself off and give it another go."

The clash will see Britain's two Olympic super-heavyweight medallists collide, with Harrison having won gold in 2000 and Price taking bronze eight years later.

"Audley might have a superiority complex because he won a gold and me a bronze, but the Olympics are in the past," Price said.

"Now I'm hell-bent on succeeding as a professional and nothing will stand in my way.

"If Audley Harrison is still dining out on his Olympic gold medal that's up to him."

Price admired Harrison after his success at the Sydney Games, but is ready to extinguish the dying embers of his career in his voluntary title defence.

"I never thought I'd fight Audley because when I was growing up on the GB team everyone looked up to him," he said.

"He was bit of an inspiration and I'm not afraid to admit that. But come fight night I'll be there to do a job."

sports@thenational.ae

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