Harrison KO’s Sprott in dramatic late salvo

Audley Harrison claimed the vacant European heavyweight title courtesy of an astonishing late knockout at London's Alexandra Palace on Friday night.

Trailing on all three judges’ scorecards going into the twelfth and final round, Harrison delivered a concussive left hook shot that had Michael Sprott out cold before he’d even hit the canvas. It was a remarkable shot, not least because Harrison had looked dead and buried and two minutes from retirement in a fight in which he was undoubtedly second best.

Indeed, despite rhapsodising in the build-up about “revenge or retirement” and targeting the Klitschko brothers’ world titles, Harrison showed a bizarre, if all too familiar, lack of desire or killer instinct. A snappy first round from the 2000 Olympic Gold medalist flattered to deceive, as the pre-fight favorite retreated further and further into his shell against the smaller Sprott.

Post-fight, Harrison revealed he’d damaged his right shoulder in the second round and suffered “excruciating” pain, telling Sky Sports “I think my shoulder went in the second round. My whole right side was locked down from the second round.”

That would go a great way in explaining why the man known as ‘A-Force’ barely threw a right jab from rounds three to eleven. It also explains why he changed from his natural southpaw stance to orthodox in the middle rounds and it certainly goes some way to explaining why he was so reticent to throw and engage with a fighter who was far from elusive. However, whilst such an injury is undeniably a disruptive and difficult disadvantage to overcome, that by no means disguises or excuses the lack of footwork, head movement and inept inside fighting shown from a man who incredibly still harbours ambitions for a world title.

Michael Sprott is a fighter who since his stunning third round KO of Harrison in 2007 has lost four of six fights. That is hardly championship form, and other than a convenient PR ‘revenge’ angle, it is unfathomable how a man who barely scrapes into the British top-ten was even allowed to box for the European title. Nevertheless, Sprott put in a sound performance, but his crab-like guard and intermittent attacks shouldn’t have troubled Harrison in the manner they did. Succumbing to the same shot time and time again, Harrison failed to deal with the Sprott uppercut, brutally and successfully raked upwards in nearly every clinch.

The seventh and eighth rounds in particular were indicative of not only the fight but Harrison’s entire, frustrating, professional career – a stuttering twenty seconds of pawing, indifferent jabs drawing boos from the crowd in the seventh before an explosion of life in the eighth where Harrison landed a series of left hooks and uppercuts and briefly looked a dynamic fighter. That work was followed up in the ninth with some neat jabs from the Orthodox stance by Harrison and Sprott looked to be blowing hard at the end of the round. However, it was Sprott who started the tenth looking the most vibrant, landing one-twos at will and getting the better of the exchanges.

Going into the twelfth round, Sprott was comfortably ahead and only a Harrison knockout could change the result. Surprisingly, despite that advantage, it was Sprott who was the aggressor as the bell sounded, raining in punches and staggering Harrison with a left that backpedalled him to the ropes. In hindsight the tactics were foolhardy, but at the time a Sprott stoppage looked more than likely and there was not a hint of what was to come.

Turning his man on the ropes, Harrison looked to tee off, missing with an uppercut before landing the equaliser that no one saw coming. It was a superb left and the fight was waved off as soon as Sprott hit the deck. Finishes of such drama are preciously rare and the venue was awash with amazement and confusion. Harrison roared in our direction, blood trickling from his mouth and I have to admit it was an intangible moment.

No doubt Sprott fans will bemoan their man’s decision to engage when two minutes away from certain victory but Harrison should be applauded for his heart, for finding a way to win when such a result looked impossible. He is still a big draw; the atmosphere as he made his way to the ring at the start of the fight was incredible.

Uncharacteristically for a Friday fight night bill, far more decorated writers than myself were lingering around ringside, and that is an indication of the intrigue factor that still surrounds the abstruse Harrison.

Carl Froch delivered a similar grandstand finish against Jermain Taylor last year and countless accolades were thrown his way. For now, it would be harsh not to afford Harrison similar merit for such a breathtaking battle-back from the brink but where he goes from here is hard to say. This fight report read very different prior to that left hand but winning is all that matters in the sport of boxing and Harrison can look forwards rather than back as his career, incredibly, stumbles on.

Elsewhere, the night was a beguiling occasion. Alexandra Palace is an almost surreal location for championship boxing and I recommend anyone who hasn’t been to grasp the chance should it arise again. It’s a huge and arresting space that although it isn’t, feels like an open air venue with its high ceilings and spacious entryways.

Darren Barker took his chance and claimed the vacant European middleweight title with a unanimous points decision against tough as nails Frenchman Affif Belghecham.

Belghecham showed unyielding durability in the twelve round slug-fest as Barker, cheered on by a voracious support, threw everything at his opponent. The Barnet fighter, already British and Commonwealth champion, is a slick and sharp operator and it was surprising he allowed himself to be dragged into a toe-to-toe fight with the 35 year-old Belghecham.

However, the Frenchman held a tight, high guard and Barker perhaps had little option as he enjoyed early success to the body trying to wear down his man. A good fourth round gave false hope of a stoppage for the 27 year-old Barker and the next few rounds prompted a change in the Barnet fighter’s style. Boxing and moving off the back foot, he looked to frustrate his man and make him miss, exchanging briefly before moving out of range. This seemed a more natural tactic and did display some of Barker’s boxing talent. However, Belghecham was able to claw his way back into the fight, catching Barker stationary and unloading often enough to edge him back into the bout.

Ultimately though, Barker was a comfortable and worthy winner to take a decision via scores of 116-112, 119-110 and 116-114 and extend his unbeaten record to 22-0 (14KO).

Popular light-welterweight Chris Evangelou sold some 700 tickets for his four-round undercard clash against Marius Jasutis and had promised to display more of his attacking skills in the build-up to the fight.

Barely had he started though, before he landed a darting left hook-right hand combination to drop his man for the full count of ten and register his first KO as a professional. Winning in 49 seconds of the first round, the London-born Cypriot’s fans may have hoped to see more from their man, but after two counter-punching points wins they should be pleased to see the 24 year-old showing off his punching power.

Also on the undercard, Gavin Rees looked largely ineffective against rangy journeyman Abdoulaye Soukouna in their six round lightweight bout. Rees did run out a 59-55 points winner though in a more than favourable Richie Davies decision.

Troy James stopped plucky Frenchman Fouad El Bahji in three rounds in their featherweight clash.

Terry Dunstan stopped Hastings Rasani inside a round after Richie Davies bizarrely waved the fight off despite Rasani never looking hurt nor troubled in what could have been a really interesting cruiserweight fight.

Bobby Ward was retired by his corner in three against Ibrar Riyaz.

Michael Lomax worked hard but landed little in a flattering 60-55 points win over Dave Ryan.

Undercard scrap of the night certainly goes to human colossus Danny Hughes’ draw against Paul Morris in a brutal, if not aesthetically pleasing six round heavyweight slugfest that ultimately ended in a hard-fought draw for both fighters.