Boxing: Harrison steps up in class to face Calloway

Audley Harrison will fight American Rob Calloway in the ninth and penultimate fight of his BBC contract at the low-key Fountain Leisure Centre, Brentford, on 8 February.

Calloway has lost three of his 48 fights on the neglected backwater circuits in America's midwest, but at 33 is a significantly better opponent than Harrison has thus far faced. Yet again, though, the Olympic champion will have a considerable advantage in height and weight. After eight six-round contests, he will fight over eight rounds for the first time.

Harrison and his handlers were furious with the BBC when told that the main bout screened on the night would be the European heavyweight championship from Berlin between London's Danny Williams and Samil Samilsan. A compromise was eventually reached and Harrison will fight live on air at 11.05pm rather than face relegation to a highlights package after the Williams fight had been screened. The Williams and Samilsan bout will take place at 9pm and a recording shown.