Audley Harrison is happy to take on Bruno

At the weekend the 41-year-old Bruno announced he was bidding to return to the ring for the first time in seven years.

And on Monday, Harrison's management team revealed he was ready to agree to the bout against the former WBC heavyweight champion.

Hazel Bruno-Gilbert, Harrison's business manager, said: "The fight would have mass appeal with the British public and Audley is ready to accept the challenge."

Harrison, who won Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000, described any potential bout as an "honour".

I am confident I could knock him out within three rounds Frank Bruno

He said: "Frank was a hero to me in the eighties and early nineties and it would be a honour to share a ring with him - when the time is right and of course if it is actually safe for him to do so."

Bruno has not fought since sustaining a detached retina in his second defeat to Mike Tyson.

But Bruno told the News of the World newspaper: "I want to lay down the gauntlet and challenge Audley to a fight that will bring excitement back to British boxing.

"Boxing is dead at the moment, but I think this fight would put it back on the map.

HAVE YOUR SAY Could Bruno win? No, but he would show Harrison how far he will get in his belated career Martin Walker, Bournemouth, UK Join the debate

"I have the greatest amount of respect for Audley. You don't get an Olympic gold medal out of the sweetie shop.

"But I really fancy my chances against him and I am confident I could knock him out within three rounds.

"I don't want any excuses from him. Audley has a lot of brains but I don't think he has the hunger a boxer needs."

Bruno believes a purse of �10m could be raised for the fight, which he would like to stage at Upton Park, home of his beloved West Ham.

Warren: Bruno can beat Harrison

He first needs to pass a medical test to be allowed to fight again before applying for a licence, which promoter Frank Warren is confident he will be granted.

Warren told the BBC Sport website: "If he passes all the authorities' strict medical tests I see no reason why they couldn't renew his licence.

"Frank is a very fit man - you only have to look at him to see how well he keeps himself in condition.This is not some guy who is fat and bloated and coming back for money."

The British Boxing Board of Control told this website that no application from Bruno had yet been received.

"I can't comment on an application I haven't got," said Simon Block of the BBBC.

Bruno made his professional debut in 1982 and had 40 wins from his 45 contests.

The highlight of his career was outpointing Oliver McCall to win the WBC heavyweight crown in September 1995.

Harrison is not strong enough to smash an egg with a baseball bat Herbie Hide

The 31-year-old Harrison is unbeaten in 10 fights since turning professional after winning the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Meanwhile, Herbie Hide, who returns to the ring this week to face Kettering-based Scot Derek McCafferty at Nottingham, says he also wants to fight Harrison.

The ex-WBO champion claims he is in now in much better shape and has set his sights on another world title.

"I've sparred with Harrison and I knocked him about," said Hide.

"Basically he's fat, can't fight and can't knock anyone out, he's not strong enough to smash an egg with a baseball bat."