Early career In 2001, Harrison released his autobiography
Realising the Dream and set up his own company, A Force Promotions, to manage his career and concluded several high-profile sponsorships deals and became the first boxer in Britain to sign a direct broadcast deal. He signed a
£1 million deal with the
BBC to show his first ten professional fights. His debut was against US club fighter Michael Middleton, whom Harrison knocked out in the first round in Wembley Arena with 6 million viewers watching at home. He was then out of action for several months with an injury, but by the end of the year outpointed Briton Derek McCafferty over six rounds. Harrison continued to win and made his United States debut in November 2002, knocking out Shawn Robinson in the 1st round. In February 2003 he beat US fighter Rob Calloway in four rounds, and outpointed Ratko Draskovic over eight rounds. Harrison then knocked out Matt Ellis in two rounds. Harrison then tried to arrange a fight with 41-year-old ex-World champion
Frank Bruno, who had been retired for seven years. A dispute at
York Hall,
Bethnal Green with the
Herbie Hide after the Ellis fight resulted in a riot. The proposed Frank Bruno fight collapsed shortly afterwards, when Bruno was
sectioned under the
Mental Health Act. Harrison and Hide were both penalised by the British Boxing Board of Control for the riot. Following the Ellis riot, Harrison relocated to the USA where he was unbeaten in 11 fights, with 8 knockouts. In the 2003 November issue of the Ring Magazine, Harrison was tipped to emulate Lennox Lewis and become a dominant world champion. He had three more fights in 2003, against Lisandro Diaz (KO4), Quinn Navarre (KO3), and Brian Nix (KO3), in America. Harrison was sparring regularly with experienced world class Heavyweights like
Vaughn Bean. Harrison returned to the UK in 2004, but instead of fighting new British champion
Michael Sprott for the British title, he fought unbeaten Dutch fighter
Richel Hersisia for the World Boxing Foundation (WBFo) World belt. He knocked out Hersisia in 4 rounds. He defended the title twice: a 12-round points win over late-sub
Julius Francis, and a 9th-round TKO of unbeaten Tomasz Bonin. After suffering a serious ligament tear in his left hand requiring hand surgery in New York, Harrison did not fight for almost a year. Harrison's contract was not renewed in 2004 and the BBC stopped broadcasting professional boxing. Harrison returned to the ring in June 2005, knocking out Robert Davis (KO7) and Robert Wiggins (KO4). On
The Best Damn Sports Show Period he said he was now ready to step up and face world class opponents and get a title shot.
First Commonwealth title challenge Harrison vs. Williams Harrison returned to the UK in December to face long-time bitter rival
Danny Williams in London for the Commonwealth title. Harrison stepped in after Matt Skelton had pulled out and took the bout on five weeks notice. Harrison lost a close, split decision.
Return to the ring Harrison vs. Guinn In April 2006, Harrison fought in the US against
Dominick Guinn and again lost on points. Harrison put the defeat down to loss of confidence from his defeat to Williams and insisted he would bounce back. In June, he scored a three-round knockout of Andrew Greeley in an off-TV fight in America, and was poised for a fight with
Matt Skelton to try to resurrect his career. Skelton had beaten Danny Williams in July, winning the title Williams had earlier taken from Harrison. When Skelton dropped out only one week before the fight due to injury, Danny Williams replaced him.
Harrison vs. Williams II Williams had trained 8 weeks for a fight with British champion
Scott Gammer. This time Harrison fought far more aggressively, decking Williams twice and winning on a third-round knockout. Williams suffered a broken nose and severe lacerations, and Harrison was once again lauded as a contender for a world title. Following the victory over Williams, Harrison signed a promotional deal with
Frank Warren, whose aim was to get Harrison a world title fight in 2007.
Harrison vs. Sprott On 17 February 2007, Harrison was knocked out by
Michael Sprott for the European Union title. This third professional loss left Harrison's future uncertain. Harrison claimed that he could make a comeback, but Warren suggested that any return to the ring would be for a reduced purse, since the public would have no great interest. Harrison returned to fight Paul King for a bout scheduled for 29 September 2007 in Sheffield. However, he and his coach Kelvyn Travis were involved in a car accident on 21 September 2007 in the United States, and Harrison suffered injuries that caused the fight to be cancelled. Harrison had also suggested that a deal would be announced involving promoter Dennis Hobson, but the cancellation of the fight meant that a formal announcement was on hold. Harrison underwent surgery for his injuries, and returned on 19 April 2008, beating the American Jason Barnett in the fifth round on the undercard of the
Bernard Hopkins vs.
Joe Calzaghe fight at the
Thomas & Mack Center in
Las Vegas, Nevada. This bout was the first of a new multi-bout agreement between Harrison and Warren, which aimed to get Harrison a world title shot in 2009.
Harrison vs. Rogan After proposed matches with
Samuel Peter and
Martin Rogan fell through, On 24 April 2010, Harrison underwent surgery in
Cheadle, Greater Manchester to repair the torn
Pectoralis major muscle. The surgeon said he expected Harrison to make a "full recovery in about 12 to 16 weeks".
WBA heavyweight title challenge Harrison vs. Haye On 8 June 2010, Harrison vacated his European title, announcing his intention of getting a world title shot. He began negotiations with
Hayemaker Promotions soon after, which culminated in a world-title fight in the
M.E.N. Arena against
WBA champion
David Haye on 13 November 2010. Harrison was defeated by Haye, with the fight being stopped in the third round after Harrison was unable to respond to a barrage of punches from Haye. Statistics from the fight showed that Harrison only landed a single punch in the entire duration of the contest. Harrison was heavily criticised for his performance after the bout. British and Commonwealth champion
Derek Chisora stated, "I'd never show my face again if I fought like that. It was pathetic. He disgraced himself and he disgraced British heavyweights, he shouldn't get paid the reported million pounds he is earning after that shambles." European light-heavyweight champion
Nathan Cleverly also voiced his discontent with the fight, adding Harrison should now retire. Due to the nature of Harrison's defeat, the
BBBofC withheld some of the fighter's purse while a full investigation of the bout was carried out. After the investigation into the fight was concluded, Harrison was granted his full purse on 11 January 2011. On 3 December 2010, it was confirmed Harrison would continue his career as a professional boxer despite calls for him to retire. Former British and Commonwealth champion
Derek Chisora was critical of the decision, stating, "He's going to box on, but who's going to buy the tickets to go and watch him? Even if he gives them to you for free are you going to go and watch? ... Good luck to Audley anyway." On 15 November 2011, during an interview on
BBC Breakfast following his departure from
Strictly Come Dancing, Harrison announced that he would return to boxing for one last time saying "It could be over, but I just need to go and check." He stated his intention was to fight British Heavyweight Champion
Tyson Fury in 2012. Harrison returned to the ring on 26 May 2012 and boxed Ali Adams at the Brentwood Centre,
Essex for the International Masters Championships. Harrison sent his opponent to the canvas with a right hand and although Adams managed to get to his feet, a flurry of follow-up shots from Harrison prompted the referee to step in and end the contest.
British title challenge Harrison vs. Price Harrison faced
David Price on 13 October 2012, and lost the fight by knockout after 82 seconds of the first round. Harrison announced that he would not retire from boxing and will box on.
International prizefighter champion On 23 February 2013 Harrison won the
Prizefighter 29: The International Heavyweights III tournament, defeating
Derric Rossy in the final.
Later career Harrison vs. Wilder On 27 April 2013, Harrison stepped into the ring to fight the unbeaten American prospect
Deontay Wilder (27–0, 27 KOs). Wilder had not been beyond 4 rounds in his professional career. The bout only lasted a mere 70 seconds of the first round. Wilder landed a right hand which wobbled Harrison, Wilder then rushed in with a flurry of wild punches. Harrison was knocked down but managed to beat the count. However, the referee then stopped the bout, deeming Harrison unable to continue. Wilder won via TKO, his 28th consecutive knockout.
Retirement On 1 May 2013, Harrison announced his retirement from boxing. However despite coming out of retirement just 20 days later, on 26 March 2014, Harrison announced he was no longer a professional boxer, and would not return to the ring. ==Outside boxing==