The re-incarnation of Audley Harrison

Audley and Harrison – just the mention of those two words together creates a whole raft of emotions, talking points and it has to be said a boat load of derision, whether fair or not.

 

I am going to say it right here, right now. I like Audley Harrison, I am a fan, always was, still am - shoot me now!

 

Let’s face it the big man, like him or loath him, is big news again and looks on the verge of a world title shot later in the year – who would have thought it?

 

Well I for one, like a certain Mr Bunce I was convinced Harrison was destined to be a big thing amongst the big boys; I remember watching his debut albeit against an average fighter in Mike Middleton, with excitement and genuine belief that this was the torch bearer for British heavyweights once Lennox Lewis faded away into the Jamaican sunset. The BBC were back in big time boxing, 9pm Saturday night, after the lottery, get a few cans in, curry and Bob’s yer uncle.

 

What could go wrong?

 

Well, as it turned out quite a lot did. It was clear even as early as the fight against Derek McCafferty that maybe the script was going not according to the plan. Chuck in the post fight shenanigans with Herbie Hide, the running away from Dominic Negus and the anti-Thriller in Manila type fight that was Audley v Danny 1 then what you were left with was a feeling of disappointment, let down and anger.

 

A further loss to US journeyman Dominic Guinn followed and we all thought, some would say hoped, that was it. Well not quite.  A three round revenge mission against Williams and a first round knockdown against Michael Sprott had us all believing again, so you know what happens next, yep, third round, Sprott sparks out Harrison and we are back to square one.

 

Internet forums abound with abuse, ‘Audrey this’ and ‘Audrey that’ and various other barbs where you would think Audley had killed someone. Apparently it was all the BBC’s fault - they planted glass in Audley’s jaw, don’t you know?

 

You would think that there would be no road back, so how has he managed it?

 

Seeds were sown on a poker table.  Seemingly, Audley agreed to go all in with Barry Hearn and that fashionable word ‘Prizefighter’ suddenly came into the equation. You know, Prizefighter, that tournament where relative novices square off in the hope to improve not only their record but their profile to boot? You know, Prizefighter, that tournament where Olympic gold medallists and British champions square off...You get the picture.

 

In what has since proved to be an inspired move Audley sucked it up, got on with the job and as we all know prevailed and became a Prizefighter champion.

 

Not quite British champion in five fights but still, all the same something to bargain with.

 

Then it happened. Re-match with Sprott, the injury, the tepidness, the unwillingness to get stuck in, the same old Audley. Then, BOOM big left hand, KO victory, win, European title, jobs a good un.

 

So what are we left with now? We are left with a fighter on the verge of a world title shot after all this time. The Klitschkos, whilst appearing to be dismissive and unimpressed, know that an Olympic gold medallist will bring viewers to the table and viewers bring the readies and let’s face it, the division is hardly crawling with attractive fights is it?

 

Mr Haye knows this as well and talk is that Harrison for whatever reason, albeit probably financial has become a viable opponent after all. Haye knows as we all do that this is a huge fight for the British public. One time friends, fallen out, he says, he says, my dad’s bigger than your dad – quality fight selling stuff if ever I’ve seen it.

 

Will it happen? It has to, to be honest and if/when it does I bet you will be avid watchers.  I know I will.

 

For my money Haye disposes of Audley very easily and probably inside three rounds. That doesn’t matter, what matters is that our Olympic gold medallist has shaken off the taunts, the brickbats, and is close to realising his dream. Now for me like it or lump it that deserves a certain amount of credit and respect.

 

You never know, BBC, Saturday 9pm, after the lottery, few cans, a curry...I seem to think I have seen that before...