Audley Harrison believes his professional career will mimic his amateur one and end with world title glory. The 41-year-old heavyweight has endured a turbulent time since stepping into the paid ranks after winning Olympic gold in 2000.

The Londoner has lost six times as a pro including his only world-title fight against David Haye in 2010.

He was widely written off after failing to survive the first round against David Price last October.

But, reinvigorated by success in the recent Prizefighter competition, Harrison has refused to give up on his dream and believes he is following a path he has taken before.

Harrison, who returns to the ring against unbeaten American Deontay Wilder in Sheffield on Saturday, said: "I am probably down as one of Britain's best-ever amateur boxers - Olympic gold, Commonwealth gold, two-time amateur champion - but there was so much failure in that process.

"It is the process of learning. When you lose you learn lessons and you come back.

"My professional career has mirrored my amateur career, so I know how it is going to end.

"They say God gives the biggest burdens to those who can endure.

"Obviously I was strong enough to go through that journey.

"There is no doubt in my mind. Some of you will say, 'He is crazy, he is delusional' but there is no doubt in my mind. Losing is all part of the journey."

Harrison turned professional amid much hype after Sydney 2000 and he admits he let outside distractions affect him.

He said: "It has been a long struggle for me to get back here. In 2004 I fell out of love for boxing. I lost control of myself.

"It has been a long journey to get back to where I am today, in control of myself."

Harrison has had just five weeks' notice for his meeting with hard-hitting Wilder at the Motorpoint Arena, a fight on the undercard to Amir Khan's headline bout with Julio Diaz.

He faces a tough task with the 27-year-old Alabama native having won all 27 of his fights by knockout but he does have insight having sparred with him in the past.

Harrison said: "I have got a lot of love for Deontay.

"It is nothing personal, this is strictly business. It is a shame it is Deontay I am going to have to go through to my goal, but that is the way it is."

In return, Wilder has high regard for Harrison but, rated as a top up-and-coming heavyweight with his own world title ambitions, he has no room for sentiment.

Wilder, known as 'The Bronze Bomber', said: "You can say what you want about Audley, this guy is a warrior.

"He falls and gets back up. You have got to watch out for him.

"I am definitely not taking it for granted.

"We have a good relationship and he has been like a brother to me.

"I have got a lot of respect for him, but like he said, this is not personal. It is strictly business.

"I have to bring the best of Deontay Wilder because he will bring the best of Audley Harrison.

"I have to perform because he will show up this time."

Wilder's slick talking and regular yells of his catchphrase 'Bomb Squad' were among the highlights of the pre-fight press conference.

Wilder said: "The difference between me and him is I am lean and mean, slick and quick, mobile and hostile, baby. I have the heart of a lion.

"People call me the Knockout King - I didn't say it, it was given to me - but I have got to keep that going.

"I get to show the people of England live and in person why I do what I do, and how I do it - and look good doing it."