After Dinner Speakers: Audley Harrison, Rt. Hon David Owen Lord, Richard Madeley

The Olympic gold medal has traditionally preceded an illustrious professional career. Britain’s Audley Harrison, the reigning Super heavyweight champion, is now taking steps on the road to heavyweight greatness. The 6’6”, 250lb Londoner struck Gold in Sydney and joined an elite group that includes names like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De la Hoya and Lennox Lewis. After his title-winning feat two years ago, Harrison became an instant household name; was made an MBE and secured a lucrative terrestrial television contract with the BBC to televise his professional career. Audley made history by being the first British boxer to headline televised British bill in his professional debut and the fans lapped up the spectacle, more than 6,000 of them turning up to roar their Olympic hero onto his first pro victory.