Audley Harrison lifts the Prizefighter trophy after winning against Coleman Barrett

Promoter speaks out ahead of Prizefighter event

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn says he is astounded Audley Harrison has decided to come back again.

Hearn was speaking ahead of Harrison’s latest ring return at the sold-out Betfair Prizefighter International Heavyweights III at York Hall, Bethnal Green, which is live on Sky Sports 1HD from 8pm tomorrow (Saturday).

Harrison says he intends to reintroduce himself to the heavyweight division, four months after being knocked out in 82 seconds by David Price.

But Hearn, who took Harrison from a Las Vegas card room to a world title shot with David Haye in 2010, is not so sure the former Olympic gold medallist has another comeback in him.

“I can’t help have a soft spot for Audley because we shared a great journey, but the man astounds me,” said Hearn.

“After that night in Manchester I never expected to see Audley again let alone back in a ring.

“I feared for him because the public backlash was so great. He can have his own theories about what went wrong that night but the bottom line is he froze.

“He has never cut the grade at world level and the two times he has stepped up he has been comprehensively beaten by a unified world champion in Haye and a phenomenal talent in David Price.

“I don’t know what it is that makes him want to come back and take all this stick and criticism because he has had more comebacks than Chas and Dave. Maybe he is a sandwich short of a picnic.

“The venue for Saturday’s Prizefighter sold out in a few weeks and we expect impressive viewing figures with the whole of the UK essentially tuning in to watch him get knocked out. Whatever happens, I wish Audley all the best.”

Betfair currently make Harrison second favourite to win the 29th edition of Prizefighter at 100/30 behind American Travis Walker who is available at 2/1. Albert Sosnowski is 4/1 ahead of Ian Lewison at 13/2. Martin Rogan is an 7/1 shout to win his second Prizefighter, with Derric Rossy 16/1, Claus Bertino 25/1 and Timo Hoffmann 29/1.

Betfair Prizefighter International Heavyweights III draw: Martin Rogan v Albert Sosnowski; Audley Harrison v Claus Bertino; Ian Lewison v Timo Hoffman; Travis Walker v Derric Rossy.