Harrison returns against Prizefighter winner by Kevin Taylor Jun 13th 2008

Audley Harrison returns to a British boxing ring for the first time since being knocked out by Michael Sprott in February 2007 when he takes on Prizefighter tournament winner Martin Rogan over ten rounds in Birmingham on July 19th. Harrison won a comeback fight in Las Vegas in April when he stopped Jason Barnett on the undercard of the Joe Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins fight. Now fighting under the promotional banner of Sports Network the 2000 Olympic Games gold medalist isunder no illusions of what he has to do. "This is it for me. I'm in a position where I have to beat Rogan and everybody else put in front of me from now on," Said Harrison. "I've got another chance with Frank to achieve the dream of winning the world title and it starts against Rogan on July 19, "Rogan looks like a tough guy with plenty of heart and he wants to have a 'W' next to my name on his career record, but he's going up against a guy with everything to lose so that will make me a very very dangerous man on the night, "I said from the beginning that I am going to win a world title. I've had my ups and downs on the way but I'm still here fighting away and I know that a loss at this stage is fatal but I'm re-focussed and know in my heart that I will win a world title." Rogan 'The Entertainer' is coming in after picking up a £25,000 for winning the first Prizefighter heavyweight tournament and is unbeaten in his ten pro fights to date. The Belfast man says he will finally end the career of Harrison. "I'm delighted to get a fight against a big name like Audley Harrison," said Rogan. "He probably wouldn't know me if he passed me on the street, but he's going to know all about me when I land a big right hander on that porcelain chin of his, "Harrison wants me because he thinks I will be an easy touch, but this is his last chance and will be finished if he losses, "He will have to come and fight me because I don't do tip-tap, fancy, boxing. I'm a big guy and so is he so let's just stand toe-to-toe, slug it out, and see who has the best heart and chin, "It is very fitting that we are coming up to the second Olympic Games since Harrison won Gold in Sydney and on that anniversary he will have his career ended by Martin Rogan." Chief support on the card features Birmingham middleweight star Matthew Macklin, the former Irish Champion and British title challenger, who is back with Frank Warren. Also on the bill are Kenny Anderson, Denton Vassell, Don Broadhurst, Thomas Costello and Curtis Woodhouse.

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