David Haye & Audley Harrison Admit To Fight Talks

The manager of WBA title-holder David Haye has affirmed he’s spoken with Audley Harrison’s team regarding a all-British heavyweight showdown in 2010.

Although Adam Booth contends Harrison is just one of six probable competitors and states absolutely no contract discussions happened.

Harrison had also stated talks have been under way with the Klitschko bros.

However the Ukrainians’ manager Bernd Boente told the BBC that there was absolutely no talks and forecasted Haye would consider the “easy option” and match up against Harrison.

Harrison, 38, has vacated the European crown that he picked up with a last-gasp knockout of Michael Sprott on April and the Olympic super-heavyweight champ from 2000 states he’ll be able to fight in October, having recovered from the torn pectoral muscle tissue.

Vitali Klitschko, 38, holds the WBC title whilst the brother Wladimir, 34, holds the IBF and WBO belts – and expectancy has increased over a likely meeting for either brother with 29-year-old Haye.

“David Haye is a false prophet. One punch and that chin will shatter like glass,” said Harrison.

“If I was him I’d keep running from the Klitschkos and keep beating up on shop-worn American heavyweights.

“I’m told by my promoters that both David Haye and the Klitschko brothers have expressed an interest in facing me when I return after rehab.

“If it’s either Klitschko brother the task will be hard, but that’s how I want it. I respect both brothers as they are effective at what they do but both can be beat.

“Whatever the route I will find a way to fulfil my destiny and become heavyweight champion of the world.”

Vitali Klitschko laboured to a 10th-round knockout with Poland’s Albert Sosnowski in the very last fight last month.

Sosnowski had the European title before Harrison and was scheduled to battle the Londoner in April but chosen a battle with Klitschko instead.

In the mean time, Wladimir Klitschko was timetabled to fight Haye last year, only for the Brit to withdraw with the back injuries.

Haye went on to fight Nikolay Valuev for that WBA belt as an alternative, outpointing the huge Russian in Nuremburg previous November.

Boente told the BBC that either of the brothers would prefer to fight Haye, but accused the Briton of “running scared”.

We have not discussed for one minute a fight with Audley Harrison

The Klitschko brothers’ manager Bernd Boente

“He’s always challenging the Klitschko brothers but since Vitali challenged him we haven’t heard from him. My feeling is that he’s afraid,” said Boente.

“We have not discussed for one minute a fight with Audley Harrison and at the moment it would not make much sense, it’s not up for discussion. I think he wants to bring that to Haye’s people.”

Haye knocked out former world champion John Ruiz in nine rounds in April, since when he has been non-committal about his future.

Harrison’s promoter Eddie Hearn has no doubts as to what Haye’s next move should be, calling a match between the two Londoners potentially “the biggest the UK has ever seen”.

“Everyone wants to fight Audley because they know what he brings to the table,” added Hearn, the son of veteran sports promoter Barry.

“He will be installed as the mandatory challenger for the European title but we are also in discussions with the Klitchkos and David Haye and Adam Booth regarding a world title shot later this year.

“Audley’s last two appearances in the UK have attracted record viewing figures, so couple that with Haye’s popularity and the fight is huge.”

Ever since winning gold at the Sydney Olympics, Harrison’s professional career has been a whirlwind affair and before his success over Sprott in April he had never been in ownership of a recognised title.

The career appeared all but over prior to his sucess in Barry Hearn’s Prizefighter heavyweight tournament last October and he was behind on points against Sprott before producing a spectacular left hook in the last round.

And while Eddie Hearn may be overstating things when he says a match between Haye and Harrison, who used to be close friends, is potentially the biggest in British history, it would certainly appeal to many boxing fans.