Local Boxing Champ to Face Off With Rising Heavyweight Star

Olympic gold medal boxer Audley Harrison, co-owner with wife Raychel Harrison of Salon Nuuvo at the Summit at Calabasas, will face off with Deontay Wilder, an up-and-coming American heavyweight star, on April 27 in England.

Harrison, a London native whose record is 27-5, won a gold medal in the super heavyweight division at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, took the EBU European Heavyweight title in 2010, and was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2001.

He will travel to England later this month to clash with Wilder, aka the "Bronze Bomber," who hails from Alabama, in a 12-round heavyweight showdown with the victor being propelled into world title contention.

"Deontay is a fast, dangerous puncher, but he has not been tested as a pro," Harrison said.

The fight marks the next move in the race for the title for the 41-year-old boxer. After a tumultuous few years of both wins and losses, Harrison says this is his last run at the title.

"He's in the top 10, I want to get back into the top 10, this is the perfect opportunity for me to, once again, win a world title," Harrison said.

Wilder is considered "the next big thing" on the American heavyweight scene, according to Harrison. The 27-year-old won the bronze medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics. 

"There's nothing like the day before, the morning of and night after you've claimed VICTORY," Wilder said in a press release. "The emotion, the excitement and adrenaline rush that I have is ready to explode out of me. I'm a starving lion that's ready to eat. On April 27 in Sheffield, England, my next meal will be served; on the menu: Audley Harrison...Bon appetite. For the many fans in England, Deontay 'Bronze Bomber' Wilder is coming. You've been waiting for this moment and now it's here. I can't wait to show you guys why I am the light and the way for this dark division."

When asked about Wilder's colorful verbal attack, Harrison said, "Boxing can get down and dirty, but I know it's not personal. I like the guy. ... But I know that I've got the mojo to turn this around."

For more information on the fight, go to http://www.goldenboypromotions.com/