By John Mehaffey
LONDON (Reuters) - He signed a million-pound ($1.60-million) deal with the BBC, released a book and set up his own promotion company.
The deal proved spectacularly ill-advised, the book sank without trace and 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight boxing gold medalist Audley Harrison was widely derided after a series of mismatches over the course of a decade against some woeful opponents.
Now, to general disbelief, the 39-year-old Briton known variously as "Fraudley Audley, "Ordinary" and "Audrey" "is just one punch away from becoming a world heavyweight champion.
There also exists in some quarters a sneaking admiration for the sheer gall of a man who earned a small fortune for doing very little.
KLITSCHKO BROTHERS
He has also been helped by the apparent unwillingness of contenders in the heavyweight division, including Haye, to tangle with IBF, WBO and IBO champion Vladimir Klitschko. To add to the confusion, Klitschko's elder brother Vitali is the WBC champion.
Haye, 30, has said he is desperate to fight one of the Klitshckos before retiring. The Ukrainian brothers believe Haye has no intention of fighting either of them. Instead Vladimir is scheduled to fight another Briton, Zimbabwe-born Dereck Chisora on December 11.
Even one heavyweight belt would, to Harrison, justify him in the eyes of the world.
Harrison has lost to Danny Williams, Dominick Guinn, Michael Sprott and Martin Rogan, none of whom could be described as luminaries of the ring.
Yet, a number of good judges believe that if he can raise himself out of his habitual torpor, Harrison has the height, strength and skills to defeat Haye.
FINEST PUNCH
Harrison was behind on all three cards going into the final round. He was also forced to fight as a southpaw from the second of the 12 rounds after injuring his right shoulder.
From this seemingly impossible position, Harrison threw the finest punch of his career, a stunning left hook which sent Sprott sprawling on the canvas.
A similar punch Saturday and Harrison will be a world champion. Meanwhile, he remains a world-champion talker.
"If you look at my journey, my journey has been a moral journey, it's been the right journey and ultimately I'm at that place now where I get the chance to prove it," Harrison told reporters this week.
"Ultimately I believe I've been slighted. But I've got no complaints because I've been able to grow as a man, put my ego in check. The route I chose was the right route but just England wasn't ready for it -- for a young, intelligent boxer to be his own boss.
"My story is starting to resonate with people because everyone has hopes and dreams. But now people are saying: 'This guy has soldiered on, maybe I should have had some of that spirit'.
"It is my destiny, I've never given up and Saturday night will be my crowning glory, Audley Harrison will be heavyweight champion of the world. There is no doubt in my mind.
(Editing by Clare Fallon)
