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Should big Audley Harrison box on after yet another poor result, the jury is out but I still think there is potential for him to go on and win at least a European title, which in itself would be a major achievement, he has been knocked by the press since he won his gold medal, he hasn’t helped himself by running his mouth a little too much but it’s time the British public acknowledge what he has actually achieved and give a little credit where it is due.
I was at Wembley for his rematch with Danny Williams and for a British fighter the reception he got was disgraceful the majority of the crowd booed him in and out of the ring, what has he actually done that is so bad, he has tried to do it his own way rather than leave it in the hands of the likes of Frank Warren who would have been filling his pockets with Audley’s money, it wouldn’t be like the standard of fights would have been any different all fighters need easing into what is one of the most difficult ways to earn a living, some of the decisions he made have backfired a little, but this certainly doesn’t give the crowd the right to boo him or any other fighter for that matter.
His style also doesn’t really attract a huge fan base, he is very careful and try’s to think maybe a little too much, in many ways a lot like Lennox Lewis used to fight, but to be honest he isn’t a Lennox Lewis and doesn’t have the potential to be but how many have?
He has achieved as much if not more than any other British Heavyweight over the last few years, it wasn’t too long ago a certain Danny Williams lost to Michael Sprott in one of the most boring fights of living memory, the only difference was it didn’t have the same media and television coverage as they have as of late.
Audley started off well against Michael Sprott, boxing as he can with purpose, as he did with Danny Williams in his last fight, knocking Sprott down with a great left cross, but then it all seemed to go wrong, he lost the upper hand and started to paw with the jab, one of his most annoying qualities, rather than go on and finish the fight he sat back
I have been haplessly defending Audley Harrison for a few years now, I have to admit I don’t like the image he sends across, his mannerisms and persona are annoying although he has not been the first and certainly won‘t be the last to create an image of himself through his mouth.
His performances in the ring have been sporadic, and having watched all of his bouts to date, they have been more than a little frustrating.
However, Audley has been under constant pressure from the beginning
of his professional career, not only did he have to bring a gold medal
into the ring but also a million pound 10 fight contract with the BBC,
from which he got immense pressure from the viewing public to be put in
with higher ranked fighters from the start.
What do people expect, you tell me one decently regarded prospect
being put in with any fighter of note in his first 10 fights, and I think
this is why he has such a confidence problem when he fights he lacks
belief in his own ability, you can see that with the cautious approach he
has had in all his fights baring the second bout with Danny Williams.
Amateur and Professional boxing to me is the difference between 5 a
side football in a sports hall and 11 a side out on a rainy day, but
people who haven’t experienced either side of it really can’t appreciate
that. I still think he is one of the most talented boxers out there when
he puts his mind to it, all be it a diminished Heavyweight division at
the moment.
I didn’t think for one minute he would loose to Michael Sprott but
to be honest the punch that was landed with the fact that he didn’t see
it coming would have knocked out most of the highest ranked
heavyweights, I remember Lennox Lewis on the receiving end of a similar shot
against Hasim Rahman a few years ago and then destroying him in the
re-match, which if given the opportunity I think Audley would do the same.
Sprott I am sure will know this and has been around far to long to
take any more backward steps and allow Audley that opportunity. Also
regarding you’re statement on Fighters being booed by the crowd, anyone who
has ever had the Gaul to step through the ropes whether it be sparring,
an amateur bout or at professional level would never let a boo slip
from his/her lips, nor would a true boxing fan. I have been on the end of
similar treatment when I fought in America a few years ago and although
you block it out at the time it is something that stays with you sub
consciously.
The like of Naseem Hamed and Chris Eubank were by far more outspoken
and controversial the only difference is they backed it up with more
figures in the wins column.
