Haye to defend title against Harrison

LONDON (AP):

Having failed to secure a high-profile unification fight against either of the Klitschko brothers, David Haye has had to settle for a heavyweight defence against Audley Harrison.

Haye will defend his WBA title in an all-British fight against the 38-year-old Harrison, a former Olympic super heavyweight champion who never lived up to his promise, on November 13 at Manchester's MEN Arena.

"I don't think he deserves to fight me," Haye said yesterday. "I don't think he's done enough in his career, but I'm happy to do my duty for the British people."

Haye, a former cruiserweight champion, retained his heavyweight title in April by stopping John Ruiz. He had been looking to fight either WBC champion Vitali Klitschko or brother Wladimir, the WBO and IBF holder. Polish fighter Tomasz Adamek had been another possibility.

"The public want to see one final high-profile destruction of Audley Harrison and I can assure them this will be the last time they ever see him in a boxing ring," Haye said.

Harrison, winner of the Olympic title in Sydney in 2000, had been considered washed up after a string of losses to fighters such as Danny Williams, Dominick Guinn, Michael Sprott and Martin Roggan.

Harrison came back into the British fight scene when he knocked out Sprott this year for the European title. He has a record of 27-4, with 20 knockouts.

"If David Haye thinks I've taken this fight strictly for a payday, he is in for a rude awakening," Harrison said. "After winning Olympic gold, I set a new goal to become a world heavyweight champion. David Haye stands in my way of achieving that goal."