No quick route to the top for injured Harrison

Audley Harrison’s hopes of being fastracked towards a world heavyweight title shot against David Haye or the Klitschko brothers following his recent European title success have been dashed. Harrison is to undergo surgery to repair a ruptured pectoral muscle in his right shoulder which he damaged in the second round against Michael Sprott and is not expected to be fit until September.

A one-handed Harrison sensationally salvaged his career by flattening Sprott in the final round to capture the vacant European crown when trailing on all three scorecards. The new champion’s latest injury setback is a reoccurrence of a previous shoulder injury which Harrison sustained in 2002.

Upon his return, Harrison will have to accommodate mandatory challenger Alexander Dimitrenko. The EBU has set a deadline of 28 April for purse offers but this may be extended given the extent of Audley’s injury. The 6’7 Dimitrenko, 29-1 (19), hasn’t fought since losing his unbeaten record by unanimous decision to Eddie Chambers in a WBO title eliminator a year ago.