Photo credit: Lawrence Lustig – By William Mackay: European Boxing Union and former Olympic Gold Medalist Audley Harrison, 38, has opted to vacate his EBU title and says his management team are in discussions with WBA heavyweight champion David Haye for a bout, according to the BBC Harrison stopped Michael Sprott in the 12th in April in a sensational come from behind fight which saw Harrison, well behind on the cards, come back in the last round to knock Sprott out with a huge left hand to the head.

Rather than defend the EBU heavyweight title against huge 6’7” challenger Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko, Harrison likes the idea of good paying bout against the 29-year-old fellow Brit David Haye instead. There’s no choice, really, as the Dimitrenko fight would be dangerous but without the big payday that a fight against Haye would give Harrison.

Harrison tore his right pectoral muscle in the Sprott win, which was the second time that Harrison has suffered this injury. Harrison had the torn pectoral muscle surgically repaired and he says he’ll be ready to fight again in October.

The Klitschko brothers are reportedly interested in fighting Harrison as well. Harrison could find himself having to decide which is the better paying fight – Haye or one of the Klitschko brothers.

Harrison had this to say about Haye: “David Haye is a false prophet. One punch and that chin will shatter like glass. 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 interest in fighting facing me when I return from rehab.”

The 6’4 1/2” Harrison would likely have very little chance of beating the gargantuan Klitschko brothers because of their superior size and power. However, Harrison would match up well against the 6’2” Haye, who has a weak chin. Harrison can pop a little with his left hand and with his huge reach advantage of eight inches, Harrison could bomb Haye at long range with straight left hands and jabs without getting hit.

Harrison is correct about Haye having fought mostly older heavyweights since moving up in weight from the cruiserweight division in 2008. Since moving up to the heavyweight level, Haye has fought the 38-year-old Monte Barrett, 36-year-old Nikolay Valuev and the 38-year-old John Ruiz in his last three fights. If Haye winds up fighting the 38-year-old Harrison, Haye would be staying in line with his trend for selecting competition at the heavyweight level.