Sprott interested in Harrison rematch

Jim Evans, veteran trainer / manager of Michael Sprott, has told BoxRec News that his charge is interested in contesting the vacant European heavyweight title against Audley Harrison, but only if the money is right.

Harrison had been scheduled to challenge Poland ’s Albert Sosnowski for the European crown. However, Sosnowski will now face WBC Champion Vitali Klitschko in May.

Promoters Matchroom Sport announced yesterday that Sprott, along with former co-nemesis Danny Williams, are the front runners to contest the now vacant European title against Harrison at London's Alexandra Palace on April 9. A further announcement is expected later today.

“When Sosnowski decided to take the Klitschko fight I contacted Matchroom and said that if they needed an opponent for Audley Harrison that Michael Sprott was ready and willing to step in. They (Matchroom) came back to us with an offer but it was significantly short of our valuation. Michael earns very good money boxing ten rounders in Germany so we don't want to sell him short,” explained Evans late yesterday evening.

Evans reiterated his stance in a further conversation with Matchroom on Monday and it now remains to be seen whether a deal can be thrashed out between both parties. Sprott famously knocked out Harrison in the third round in February 2007 in a defeat which appeared to signal the end of Harrison’s world title aspirations.

Evans and Sprott are now on a plane bound for Dusseldorf where Sprott will take on journeyman Werner Kreiskott on the undercard of Wladimir Klitschko’s WBO mandatory defence against Eddie Chambers on Saturday.

Sprott is ranked eighth in the EBU’s current heavyweight rankings, one place above Harrison. Despite losing to Carl Baker in Prizefighter, Danny Williams is ranked at 13, making him eligible to challenge for the European crown.