MATCHROOM Sport’s Prizefighter Heavyweights III was officially launched today. A press conference was held at London’s Waldorf Hotel with all eight competitors present for what promises to be the most exciting event of the Prizefighter Series so far. The eight-man, one-night knockout tournament features some of the biggest names in the division with £32,000 going to the winner. Among those taking part will be current British Champion Danny Williams, former Olympic Games gold medalist Audley Harrison and ex British Champions Michael Sprott, Scott Gammer and Michael Holden.
Harrison, who won gold in Sydney in 2000, admitted he had a lot to prove after four defeats in his last eight fights but vowed to prove he was not finished. “A lot of people have thought I’ve retired but I’ve been telling people that I’ve just been ticking over waiting for a door to open,” said Harrison. “It’s snakes and ladders and after my loss to Martin Rogan (in December) a lot of people wanted me to fall all the way back down but I feel I’ve got a lot left..
“It’s not about the money for me, it’s about putting myself back at the top but having Michael Sprott in there (who Harrison lost to in 2007) is an added bonus.
“I had a devastating knockout loss against Sprott and hopefully I will get a chance to rectify that loss and I would also like to fight Danny Williams again as I’ve had two fights with him.
“I beat him last time and it doesn’t matter if Danny trains for six hours, six days or six months, what happened last time will happen again.
“I’ve been banging the drum about being World Champion and it has not worked out and people have hung me by that. But my confidence has not diminished one bit.
“But if my arm is not raised at the end of the night I would really question myself. It’s like the Michael Jackson song ‘Man in the Mirror’, I’ve looked at myself and the answer coming back has been ‘yes, you can.’”
Prizefighter Heavyweights III takes place at the York Hall, Bethnal Green on Friday, October 2 and all the action will be live on Sky Sports.
This will be the eighth Prizefighter event but Williams will be the first current British Champion to take part. If he fails to win the competition he may be stripped of his title and he admits he is taking a massive risk.
However, the memory of a crushing third round defeat against Harrison in 2006 has proved enough motivation for Williams as he seeks revenge.
“When I was offered this, especially with Audley Harrison being involved, I was very excited,” said Williams.
“I can’t wait to get revenge, that’s my main hope for this. I’ve been eating properly and training hard so no more messing around. If Audley Harrison or Michael Sprott were not in this I wouldn’t be in it. I want them.
“I’m training so furiously for this and this is a must-win fight for me. Life is a gamble but I will take that gamble to fight Audley Harrison and Michael Sprott.”
Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn added: “This will be the most exciting night in British boxing for years and years. Prizefighter has evolved and resurrected my passion for boxing.
“The idea of Prizefighter goes back to basics of who wants it most wins. We have eight fighters and these are the people that if you are in the trenches you want these alongside you.”
The full list of competitors is Coleman Barrett (Galway, Ireland), Scott Belshaw (Lisburn, Northern Ireland), Scott Gammer (Pembroke Dock, Wales), Audley Harrison (London / California), Michael Holden (Manchester), Danny Hughes (Sunderland), Michael Sprott (Reading) and Danny Williams (Brixton).
Tickets cost £40 and £80 and can be bought from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.
THE EIGHT PRIZEFIGHTER CONTENDERS
Name: Danny Williams
Age: 36
Home town: Brixton, London
Professional record: W41 (31 by KO), L7, D0, No Contest 1. Total 49 fights
Achievement: Current British Champion, fought for WBC title, defeated Mike Tyson
Name: Michael Sprott
Age: 34
Home town: Reading
Professional record: W31 (16 by KO), L14, D0. Total 45 fights
Achievement: Former British Champion
Name: Audley Harrison
Age: 37
Home town: London / Las Vegas
Professional record: W23 (17 by KO), L4, D0. Total 27 fights
Achievement: Olympic Games gold medalist
Name: Scott Gammer
Age: 32
Home town: Pembroke, Wales
Professional record: 18 (9 by KO), L4, D1. Total 23 fights
Achievement: Former British Champion
Name: Michael Holden
Age: 41
Home town: Manchester
Professional record: W10 (6 by KO), L9, D0. Total 19 fights
Achievement: Former British Champion
Name: Scott Belshaw
Age: 24
Home town: Lisburn, Northern Ireland
Professional record: W10 (7 by KO), L2, D0. Total 12 fights
Achievement: Former Irish Amateur Champion
Name: Coleman Barrett
Age: 26
Home town: Galway, Ireland
Professional record: W8 (2 by KO), L0, D0. Total: 8 fights
Achievement: Undefeated
Name: Danny Hughes
Age: 23
Home town: Sunderland
Professional record: W6 (1 by KO), L0, D1. Total 7 fights
Achievement: Undefeated