By David Field, PA Sport Boxing Correspondent, Sydney

The charismatic Londoner who struck boxing gold in Sydney sat back and sung an impromptu calypso with the opening line "I had a plan, 32 years it hasn't been done..."

That lyric recalled Britain's last gold medal success in 1968. And it must have been music to the ears of the promoter with the big enough cheque to sign new Olympic champion Audley Harrison as a professional.

Harrison, 29 later this month, stayed loyal to the amateur game and delayed his advance to the paid ranks, despite offers.

He realised the value and supreme satisfaction of becoming an Olympic champion, if he could pull it off.

Audley looked at what it did for greats such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and, more latterly, Lennox Lewis.

Becoming super-heavyweight champion is something special, now Harrison can wait for the harvest.

But WBA heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield warned: "It's just the start. Amateurs and professionals are totally different things. He has the body, now you need the mind, the mind's the most important thing.

"Heavyweights are big guys these days. There's a lot of work to be done. He needs a good trainer now, he's got it, he just needs to make sure he doesn't rush too much.

"He did exceptionally well to get the gold, I liked the way he found the gaps, the spot, sorted his punches out and got the points necessary. He did everything the right way."

Now, in Harrison's own words, it is time to move on and multiply. He said: "I've proved that when Lennox Lewis is gone then I'm the next man to take over for Great Britain.

"This mountain is finished, though I've not closed the door yet, but when I close the door I'll be looking to climb another mountain which is professional boxing.

"There's a few offers on the table, there are probably going to be a few more when I get back. I'm a man of my own destiny and I'm not going to get involved in selling myself and I'm not going to tie myself up into anything that I feel I'm not happy with, and that I haven't got some sense of control over it because I'm a man who puts my neck on the line.

"If it goes well, it goes well. If it goes wrong I'm the one who people are going to throw the darts at. That's what it's going to be in the professional arena, it's a good lawyer and lots of negotiations. But that's another day. Right now I'm enjoying this moment.

"I've had problems with people who have written me off or people who don't really see my side, because I'm a guy who likes to do it my way. I Iike to feel now, may be, this was the right way.

"Great Britain is great again, we can produce the goods. Everyone's aware of the way I've captured the public imagination here and back home. I've had cards and faxes on my wall, they all gave me encouragement, I took those wishes in the ring with me. Those people have helped me to produce the goods.

"The high ambitions and high aspirations that I set for myself they are not unrealistic goals, and the people who have sat here before me have all gone through this programme.

"I was determined that when I turned pro it would be as a genuine contender, from a marketing point of view, from Audley Harrison the product. I'm sure that everyone's aware of Audley Harrison, so obviously you are taking that into the professional arena.

"And if I'm fighting for a British title I'm expecting to fill the place out. I've gone through an Olympic programme and I've become an Olympic gold medallist, and the great fighters have gone on to great things as professionals.

"God willing, I think I will have a good professional career. I'm 28 years old, I' ve got four or five years in me. I've got fish to fry - there are plenty of things I want to do with my life, not just in boxing."