By Sean McDaniel: Former Olympic Gold Medalist Audley Harrison saved his career tonight in coming back late in tonight’s fight to stop Michael Sprott with a sensational 12th round knockout victory at the Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, London. Harrison, 38, was behind on the fight going into the 12th and looking like he was about to wind up with his 5th loss when he landed a huge left hand to the head of Sprott, sending him down on the canvas. On the way to the canvas, Sprott’s head hit the ropes and then he came to a rest on the canvas.

The win basically saves Harrison’s career – for now – and gives him the vacant European Boxing Union heavyweight title. Now, all Harrison has to do is get a win against a couple of top ranked contenders in the WBA, and he’ll be in position to challenge for David Haye’s title. Harrison, however, looked poor for most of his fight with Sprott. He showed little fire and fought in a cautious manner until the 12th round. Harrison might have been able to end matters early if he had opened up with his power shots earlier the fight. At the time of the stoppage, Sprott had a commanding lead on all three of the judges’ scorecards. Harrison absolutely needed a knockout win to escape with the victory.

The win for Harrison avenges his 3rd round knockout defeat against Sprott from 2007. Better late than never, I suppose. Incidentally, Sprott had lost four out of his last six fights coming into Friday night’s bout with Harrison, so a loss here for Sprott isn’t that big of a shock.