Colin Hart on Audley comeback.

LAST week's grim news that Audley Harrison will be back in a British ring this spring made my heart sink lower than my knees.
He will be climbing through the ropes once more to meet Ali Adams for something called the International Masters heavyweight title at the Brentwood Centre on April 14.

The good people of Essex must be asking themselves what terrible things have they done to deserve to have Harrison, 40, inflicted on them.

Harrison's unique form of pacifism has not been seen since that excruciating night in Manchester 14 months ago when he feebly folded challenging David Haye for the WBA crown.

That occasion certainly will not be forgotten by the 20,000 who handed over their hard-earned cash to be at ringside or those who forked out to watch the farce on TV.

It is still painful recalling how Harrison threw just one puny punch in the seven minutes 53 seconds he managed to survive.

After such a pitiful performance it was presumed he would not have the cheek to show his face in a boxing arena ever again.

He has at least for the first time admitted he had guilt feelings over his lame defeat by Haye.

Harrison said: "I've never been more disappointed in myself as I felt that night.

"Anyone can lose, but I didn't lose with dignity so I was never going to retire on that. I intend to show I still have a future."

Frank ******, Eddie Hearn, Ricky Hatton and Frank Maloney — the country's four major promoters — would not waste time or money attempting to resurrect a lost cause.

So who is responsible for inflicting further punishment on the nation's fight fans?

Step forward Steve Goodwin, a small-hall promoter who has been in boxing less than two years.

Goodwin, a financial adviser, is a successful businessman and no fool and there is a method in his seeming madness — furthering the career of Baghdad-born Adams who has won 13 of his 17 fights.



Goodwin told me: "Ali came to this country 20 years ago when he was 10 and I think he has tremendous potential.

"At this stage of his career he needs publicity and a recognisable name on his record.

"As far as I'm concerned Harrison is strictly the opponent and not the star.

"It took three hard weeks of negotiations before Harrison agreed to sign a contract. I know I'm going to lose money because I don't have any TV revenue.

"But because I have faith in Ali I'm prepared to speculate to accumulate."

Amazingly because of Harrison's discredited reputation and though the fight is three months away half the 1,900 tickets have already been sold.

Goodwin added: "There's been a rush for the £100 executive seats and people are coming from as far away as Newcastle. The attraction is seeing Harrison beaten."