BBC SPORT | Boxing | Cooper critical of Harrison

Sir Henry Cooper has told Audley Harrison he needs to up his class of opponents to have any chance of progressing in the ring.

Harrison has faced criticism since Saturday's one-sided win over American Wade Lewis, the latest in a line of weak opponents.

British legend Cooper said the Olympic super-heavyweight champion will learn nothing by fighting second-rate 'mugs'.

And he accused him of lacking the stamina and incentive to succeed.

Cooper said: "Harrison has got to stop fighting dead bodies and find people who can stretch him.

If he's hit on the whiskers what incentive will he have to get up?

Henry Cooper

"He still lacks stamina and needs a break for 20 seconds after he's thrown a cluster of punches.

"He is not learning his business."

But Harrison's manager Colin McMillan was quick defend his fighter.

He told BBC Sport Online: "Audley is in a no-win situation.

"If somebody takes him a few rounds people say he's doesn't look up to it.

"But if he gets a quick knockout they say the competition is too weak."

Cooper also cast doubt over Harrison's motivation, suggesting his reported �1m-a-year deal has dampened his hunger.

He said: "If he's got a million in the bank and he's hit on the whiskers, what incentive will he have to get up?

"Big money is a double-edged sword and it can kill that incentive."

Wade Lewis hits the canvas in his bout against Harrison
Wade Lewis did not provide a tough test

Former British heavyweight champion Cooper claims to have fallen out of love with the sport in recent years.

He said: "Nobody knows half of the world champions any more.

"Danny Williams is the British heavyweight champion and he's a great kid but who knows him?

"People don't take the British title seriously any more."

A showdown with Williams would do much to silence Harrison's critics, who claim he has still not been given a proper test in the ring.

But McMillan defended the quality of opponents.

He said: "Wade Lewis is not as bad as everyone makes out. He just came up against a fighter in peak condition.

"They say Audley hasn't had a test, but what about Dominic Negus and Mark Krence?

"There's no short-cut to becoming heavyweight champion. Like Henry says, Audley needs to learn - and he's had good learning fights."

McMillan revealed that Harrison is on course to fight again before the end of the year.


	Links to more Boxing stories