Haye: I used to idolise Harrison, now I’ll end him
DAVID HAYE admitted yesterday he used to look up to Audley Harrison – but has now vowed to leave him in an “unconscious heap” when the pair go head-to-head in the ring.
Haye puts his WBA world heavyweight title on the line against his former friend at the MEN Arena in Manchester on 13 November.
The Hayemaker told how he idolised the Olympic gold medalist when they both fought as amateurs, but said Harrison soon got jealous of his success as a professional.
“I looked up to Audley at that stage,” Haye explained. “He went out there and won an Olympic gold medal, something I wanted to do. I didn’t achieve that but he did.
“I looked to him as an inspiration in my early years. But the reason why it hasn’t stayed the same is that it is now a professional game. We drifted apart – he went his way and I went mine. I said I was going to do things and I did them. He said he was going to do things and he didn’t. There’s a bit of jealousy on that side.”
Harrison explained that the fall out had developed due to Haye’s refusal to put him on an undercard. He added: “He’s going to be in the fight of his life.”