Audley Harrison Marks Return to Boxing After Time on the Poker Felt

After years away from the boxing world, Audley Harrison is making a comeback—not as a fighter, but as a manager and advisor. 

In a recent post on Instagram, the former Olympic gold medalist and European heavyweight champion announced: “After spending my Saturday watching the great fights on @daznboxing (big congratulations to @joeboxerparker) I was extra locked in, as my professional trainer license approval came.

“I now have both my Manager & Pro Trainer license, so I’m almost there – boxing is a tough game, but if you have talent & are committed, you can still rise from obscurity & make a name for yourself and secure your legacy on the world stage.”

For Harrison, this move makes perfect sense. He managed his own career from the start, securing a groundbreaking £1 million broadcast deal with the BBC for his first 10 professional fights. This gave him full control over his opponents, fight venues, and sponsorships—an unprecedented level of autonomy for a young pro fighter. “I know the boxing business from the television boardroom to the promoter’s contracts, matchmaking, sponsorships, PR, venue contracts, and everything in-between,” he said.

With his wealth of experience, Harrison is ready to guide the next generation of fighters. But before looking ahead, let’s revisit his most memorable moments—both in the ring and at the poker table.

Audley Harrison Announces Future Boxing Move

Audley Harrison: From Olympic Gold to World Title Shots

Harrison’s boxing journey started later than most—he was 19 when he first laced up his gloves. Training out of Repton Amateur Boxing Club in Bethnal Green, London, he quickly climbed the ranks, becoming British Super Heavyweight champion in 1997 and defending his title in 1998. That same year, he won gold at the Commonwealth Games.

His biggest moment came at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he dominated the Super Heavyweight division and won gold, defeating Kazakhstan’s Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov in the final. The win earned him an MBE and set the stage for his professional career.

Harrison started strong in the pro ranks, winning his first 19 fights and even claiming the obscure WBF heavyweight title. But his momentum stalled after a split-decision loss to Danny Williams in 2005. From there, his career had a series of ups and downs, with as many losses as wins.

In 2010, he made a brief comeback, winning the European Heavyweight title with a dramatic final-round knockout. That earned him a world title shot against David Haye in 2011, but the fight was a disaster—Harrison barely landed a punch before being knocked out in the third round.

Trading Gloves for Poker Chips

Long before retiring from boxing in 2014, Harrison was making waves in the poker world. His first tournament appearance came in 2006, and in 2010, he earned his biggest payday—$90,298 for a third-place finish in a $2,000 buy-in event at the Venetian.

That event also gave him one of his best poker moments—knocking out Phil Hellmuth, a 17-time WSOP bracelet winner. “He kept on bloody raising me every time, and I had to keep him honest a couple of times and was able to take him down,” Harrison recalled.

Like any competitor, Harrison wasn’t satisfied with just cashing in a few wins—he wanted to make history. “I am winning a WSOP bracelet in 2024. And I want to win poker’s triple crown—WSOP, EPT, and WPT titles,” he declared.

Had he succeeded, Harrison would have joined poker legends like Chris Moneymaker, the 2003 WSOP champion who helped spark the online poker boom. Moneymaker remains a major name in the game, travelling the world with America’s Card Room for tournaments like the Moneymaker Tour. The platform even hosts a weekly event named after him, The Sunday Moneymaker Tourney.

While Harrison never won a WSOP bracelet, his time on the felt was far from forgettable. He was signed as an ambassador for Full Tilt Poker, representing the brand for two years. Full Tilt’s branding even appeared during his fight against Haye.

One of his most unexpected poker moments came at a WSOP tournament when he found himself at the same table as boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. Never one to miss an opportunity, Harrison asked if Hearn could find him a fight. Hearn offered him a spot in Prizefighter, an eight-man tournament known for reviving careers. Harrison jumped at the chance—and on February 23, 2013, he won Prizefighter 29: The International Heavyweights III, defeating Derric Rossy in the final.

Back to the Fight Game for Audley Harrison

Now, after years of high-stakes poker, Harrison is returning to boxing in a new role. With his deep knowledge of the business, he’s stepping in as a manager and advisor, helping young fighters navigate the game.

Whether he’s negotiating contracts, setting fight tactics, or mentoring up-and-coming boxers, one thing is clear—Audley Harrison knows how to play the game. And this time, he’s betting on the future of boxing.

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