Audley Harrison today officially announced his retirement from professional boxing, but if he was expecting to be inundated with tributes he was sorely mistaken…
Harrison won an Olympic gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, but his career in the professional ranks has been a mixed bag to say the least. The 41-year old was knocked out in the first round by Deontay Wilder at the weekend – one of two first round KOs in recent months – while his encounter with David Haye a few years back was a particularly farcical bout.
Harrison has decided to finally hang up his gloves, releasing a statement on his website today which read: “There are only so many times you can fall before it becomes foolhardy to continue. I’ve fallen a lot, but winning the heavyweight title was a destination I really wanted to get to. Coming back from adversity has been synonymous with my life.
“I’ve done well to turn my life around, but sadly my dream to be a legitimate world champion will be unrealised.”
Despite his so-so career, Harrison might have expected a kinder reaction than the one generated on Twitter following his retirement today and although it’s a case of kicking a man when he’s down, we can’t say we didn’t raise a chuckle at a few of the posts below.
Enjoy.
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