Audley Harrison MBE
Audley Harrison is the only British heavyweight boxer ever to win an Olympic Gold medal...
On 1st October 2000, Audley Harrison stepped into the ring to face Kazakhstan's Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov for the Olympic Super Heavyweight final. The roster of previous Olympic champions read like a who’s who of heavyweight boxing. Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis and, of course, Muhammad Ali had all won gold medals in the Heavyweight or Super Heavyweight division.
Destiny was calling, and Harrison wasted no time in ensuring his name would join his heroes in Olympic boxing fame. Dildabekov had no answer to Harrison’s punishing jab, and the Londoner took all four rounds before the final bell proclaimed Britain’s first Olympic boxing gold medallist for 32 years.
Although Harrison had started his career later than most - he was 19 when he was invited to try it out - he was clearly a gifted boxer and was quick to learn. After just six fights, he joined the Amateur Boxing Association, winning his first national title in 1997, and the Commonwealth Games gold in 1998.
Even though he was progressing quickly, Harrison also studied hard, gaining a BSc degree in Sports Studies at Brunel University.
On returning from Sydney with gold, Harrison found he was a household name and the new star of British heavyweight boxing. He was awarded the MBE in 2001, and turned professional in the May of that year with a first-round victory over Mike Middleton.
The transition from amateur to professional boxing is hard but Harrison’s education has been steady, overcoming a range of boxing styles on his way to amassing a sequence of 23 pro wins from 27 fights. This run included a spectacular third round knockout of former WBC world title challenger Danny Williams in December 2006.
Audley has his sights on winning the European Heavyweight Championship in April. After triumphing in Prizefighter Heavyweights III in October, he will next meet Poland’s Albert Sosnowski for the European belt and hopes this fight, scheduled for April 9 at London’s Alexandra Palace, leads to a shot at World title.
Away from the ring, Harrison supports a variety of charities including the Brain Spine Foundation, Crisis, and the Northwood Youth Club, where he spent his younger days.
www.audleyharrison.com
For enquiries contact Octagon
Personal details
Date of birth: 26 October 1971
Place of birth: London
Height: 1.98m
Weight: 114kg
Honours and achievements
2009: Won Prizefighter Heavyweights III
2008: Defeated Jason Barnett by knock out
2006: Defeated Danny Williams by knock out
2004: Won WBF title
2001: Turned professional, awarded MBE in 2001 Honours list
2000: Olympic Super Heavyweight Gold medal in Sydney
1998: Commonwealth Games Super Heavyweight Gold medal
BSc (Hons) Sports Studies, Brunel University, Middlesex
Supports the Brain Spine Foundation as well as several other charities