Rogan unsure of Harrison’s heart

27 November 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Martin Rogan has admitted that he has no idea if Audley Harrison has the heart for boxing.

The pair will meet in an intriguing heavyweight bout in Londons ExCel Arena on December 6 which Harrison, Britains former Olympic hero, will go into as the overwhelming favourite.

However, this is virtually a fist fight in the last-chance saloon for Harrison, who has seen his career prospects nosedive in recent years after a succession of sub-standard showings.

Many have questioned whether A-Force has what it takes to make it the top of the toughest sport in the world, and Harrison, who made his breakthrough by winning the inaugural Prizefighter tournament, is no different.

Audley’s going to come to fight on December 6 because he’s got something to prove; I’ve got nothing to prove, he argued on Steve Bunces Boxing Hour.

I admire anyone who steps into the boxing ring but he’s done a lot of talking – did he get the money too quick and lose heart? That’s for him to answer.

In the Olympics I thought he was good, but lately he hasn’t been that impressive.

The guy he fought [George Arias] last was a tough, durable guy who was only 15 stone 2lbs. I think Audley could have done a lot more. Is his heart in it? I don’t know.”

Rogan has not fought since his Prizefighter success in April. The original date for his meeting with Harrison was scrapped due to a television scheduling conflict and then injury ruled him out of the rescheduled bout, on September 6.

However, the Belfast native does not believe that the lay-off will affect his chances of victory.

Everybody would like a fight in between but I’m not going to use that as an excuse, he insisted.

I’ve trained hard and gotten good sparring. The preparation’s been very good. So, it will be business as usual.