Harrison impresses in Prizefighter triumph

Audley Harrison produced some of the best work of his career to become Prizefighter heavyweight champion for the second time.

Wembley’s much criticised former Olympic gold medallist won a rematch against Martin Rogan before a second-round stoppage of Derric Rossi in the final at York Hall in Bethnal Green.

Weighing under 17st for the first time as a professional, he took only 33 seconds to see off Claus Bertino in his quarter-final, wobbling the Dane with a big left that prompted the referee to stop the contest.

Harrison, 41, impressed in a one-sided semi-final against the rugged Rogan, winning all three rounds.

Rogan, who beat him in 2008 and is also a former Prizefighter champion, was caught with a succession of left-hand counters and crisp right jabs.

And Rossi found himself out of his depth, Harrison flooring him with a thunderous left in the early stages and then doing so again in the following round.

The American managed to get to his feet but the referee had seen enough.

It completed an excellent return to the ring for Harrison, who suffered a brutal first-round knockout against David Price in October but decided not to retire.

His last Prizefighter triumph set up an unsuccessful world title challenge against David Haye in 2010.

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