Harrison injury puts back fight

Boxing: Audley Harrison will have to delay his next fight after suffering a stomach injury

Audley Harrison's controversial professional career has suffered another setback with the news that he will be forced to delay his next fight until the New Year after suffering a stomach injury.

The Olympic super-heavyweight champion sustained the injury doing bench presses at a charity sporting challenge at the weekend and was forced to undergo minor surgery yesterday. After failing to impress in his first three professional bouts, Harrison was due to fight in London on 1 December but that has now been postponed.

The 30-year-old Londoner has also revealed that on the advice of his American trainer, Thel Torrance, he will base himself in Las Vegas once his 10-fight contract with the BBC is completed.

"America, for me, is where I am going to dominate in the second phase of my professional career," Harrison said. "Once I become a contender, it will be very hard to box here because of the time difference."