Middleton's war cry

American boxer Mike Middleton gives BBC Sport Online the first of his daily dispatches ahead of Saturday's clash against British Olympic hero Audley Harrison.

My time in England has been hectic but enjoyable thus far.

The preparation for my fight has been regulated to heavy running and light gym work since arriving on Saturday.

I have been having extensive medical tests as required by the British Boxing Board of Control, who seem very concerned with fighter safety, as they should be.

After running from doctor to doctor, I am about sick of seeing medical personnel.

I am now staying with some friends and family of my trainer Alex Stewart in the suburbs of London and am looking forward to getting in some quality training over the next few days.

He was a bit friendlier in Vegas but that is to be expected

  Middleton on Harrison

The press conference on Tuesday was a bit overwhelming at first.

But I was able to relax and adjust to the attention being given to me and soon warmed to the realisation that people were actually interested in what I had to say.

I tried to be as accommodating as possible to everyone.

I have always held disdain for athletes and celebrities who forget that it is the fans and press who make, or have made, them what they are and it is much easier to be nice than to be rude.

That was why I was a little surprised when Harrison walked away during the photo session outside.

We could not have been standing there for more than two minutes.

It was all in fun. I thought business does not start until Saturday, but each to his own.

In the limelight: Harrison in training

Audley Harrison was pretty much as I remembered him from our brief meeting in Las Vegas last year at the Lennox Lewis v David Tua fight.

He was a bit friendlier in Vegas, but that is to be expected, as he and I are not wishing each other good feelings come 19 May.

The fight can only go one way if I am to win.

His size could prove a problem if I attempt to box him from the outside, which I won't. That would be foolish.

I will work my way inside and use everything within the rules to turn this into a brawl.

He may be bigger in size but not in heart. I am going to try and make this a war.

People are underestimating me and that is giving me a little bit of fire in my belly, more so this time than in any fight before.

Coverage of the Harrison-Middleton clash is live on BBC One 2130-2230BST and Five Live 909 & 693 MW 2100-2230BST; highlights BBC One 2350-0120BST.