Lennox targets link-up with Audley

Olympic super heavyweight champion Audley Harrison

Britain's world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has targeted Audley Harrison as a future member of his boxing stable.

Lewis sees Olympic gold medallist Harrison as the ideal person to launch his group of fighters, dismissing the notion that the pair may one day meet in the ring.

"I would love to make Audley my first signing," Lewis told The Mirror. "I have been very impressed by his performances in Sydney and was keen to send him a message of support.

"What has impressed both myself and my trainer Emanuel Steward is that Audley has fought well in a variety of styles.

Classy

"He has been confident and classy and it is great for him, for boxing and for Britain that he has won gold - and in the same division as me."

Lewis, who defends his WBC and IBF belts against David Tua in Las Vegas in November, won gold at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul when competing for Canada, after moving there from London at the age of 12.

He believes Harrison can have a successful career as a professional heavyweight.

"Audley has definitely got the pedigree," Lewis told the Press Association. "Anyone who wins an Olympic gold medal always goes on to be a champion."

Lewis has warned Harrison to be wary of professional pitfalls

And he vowed to give Harrison any help he requires in his new career.

"My door will be open," Lewis said. "I know how hard it is because I've been there and experienced it. I'll do whatever I can to help him.

"I have had a dream about it. The passing of the baton."

Harrison will fly back to Britain to face a scrum of potential promoters anxious to get their hands on his skyrocketing talents in a sport where bright young stars are few and far between.

And Lewis has words of warning as the 28-year-old prepares for the deluge of offers.

"It's going to be very difficult for him in one sense because he's going to have to decide on a trainer and on what he wants to do," Lewis said.

"Everybody's going to be coming towards him and trying to tell him to turn professional with them. Everyone's going to be sounding sweet and he's going to have a difficult decision in front of him on who he wants to turn professional with and how he wants his career to go.

Used and abused

"He has to make sure that everything he wants in the professionals is out there and that he can go and get it.

"He's got to make sure he's not used and abused and make sure that everything's in his favour and he's got everything he wants."

Lewis urged Harrison to follow his lead and refuse the lure of American promoters in favour of his homeland.

"I think he should definitely turn professional in England and do it on the British side.

"He's an Olympic gold medallist and obviously the public will want to be involved."