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Warren rubbishes Harrison

11/12/2005

Promoter Frank Warren claims Audley Harrison will "dwindle away" after his disappointing defeat by Danny Williams for the Commonwealth heavyweight title.

Warren and Williams have both derided Harrison's lack of desire and determination after he lost on a split points decision.

Harrison was roundly booed for his lacklustre display in a fight that was for the large part dull and lacking in any genuine quality.

Now Warren and Williams have already turned down Harrison’s request for a rematch, with Warren contending that Harrison "does not have what it takes to be a world-class heavyweight".

Harrison showed little aggression as he slumped to the first defeat of his professional career, later blaming a hand injury.

And Warren told the BBC: "You can't fool the public. He didn't fight like a guy who wanted to be a champion."

Warren put the boot in further, alleging that Harrison has "no heart" and arguing that the 2000 Olympic champion would have been better served if he had let Warren handle his promotion after his gold medal triumph.

He described Saturday night’s defeat, the culmination of an uninspiring professional career, as "an accident waiting to happen".

Danny Williams agreed with Warren, saying: "I don't think he [Harrison] had any heart at all, he swallowed it, and if I had had the engine I would have got him out of there before the end."

Harrison has vowed to bounce back, but the loud booing of a capacity ExCel Arena suggests he will enjoy little public support.

Chris Eubank was among the most scathing critics of Harrison’s performance, telling BBC Radio Five: "To be considered a boxer is an honour and I don't know that Audley Harrison can be considered a boxer."

"Boxing is about showing honour, valour and integrity, but Harrison has been spoilt from the start and his desire has been killed," he added.

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