Welcome Back Audley,
Now Can You Please Inject Some Class Into the Heavyweight Division?

By Terence "One Punch" Dooley


So what kept you so long Audley? I’ve had to wait just under a year to see you box again after you made so much progress in 2004. Now I cannot even see you live anymore as the combined efforts of Frank Warren, the British Press and the BBC has seen you forced out of your native land in search of respect, you will get respect in the States as long as you fight regularly and stay unbeaten.

What separates Audley from other heavies is the sheer talent he possesses in comparison to the rest of the division, the two most talented fighters at the top of the rankings consist of James Toney (as former middleweight) and Chris Byrd (who should be a middleweight), Vitlai you say? Gimme a break, the guy looked pedestrian versus Danny Williams who was a (extremely) heavy - bag on the night, Vitali is like a decent computer program, he does what he is told to do but as for spontaneous skill? Forget about it, this guy looks at his hands in disbelief when he lands, all too rarely, with decent shots. Audley is old in terms of age but is a baby in terms of wear and tear, he can punch in combinations, has fast hands, his footwork is tidy but most importantly he can knock a guy out and then sit down to speak coherently about it. Audley is a big guy that can box and talk brilliantly, boy do we love those guys; he is made for the USA so his exile could give his career the kick up the arse it so desperately needs.

I did not immediately jump on the Audley Harrison bandwagon after he won Gold in the Olympics (note to all those calling Khan the real savior of British boxing, he only got the silver) instead I held fire to see what he had in his locker. His first fight was a showpiece event, fair enough. His second fight he lacked stamina but went six rounds with a live opponent. It was in his third fight that I saw some real potential in the man, his opponent was the poor Piotr Jurczyk and Audley was always going to win but he did it in a certain style. In the second Audley dipped his considerable frame before exploding a class body - shot to finish the fight cleanly, I was immediately converted by him from then on in. To see such a big man punch so well to the body on the inside is rare in heavyweight boxing, twelve fights later and Audley was finishing Richel Hersisia with combination after combination, head AND body, which is even rarer. I feel like the holder of a gradually emerging secret that is sporadically coming to light little by little, Audley can fight there is no doubt about it and he is charismatic to boot. So what has been the problem?

Frank Warren for starters, so desperate to sign Audley after he turned pro Warren then became his biggest critic and regularly slated his opposition; fair enough Frank but remember Kid McAuley Ricky Hatton’s first opponent? He had lost all his preceding six fights and was 8 - 43 - 3 similar to Karl Taylor, six time loser going in with a record of 14 - 36 - 3! We’ve yet to see Harrison take on a twenty plus losses guy Frank, Audley made a mistake by putting himself top of the bill but crucifying him every week in a down-market Tabloid? That is below the belt son. The rest of the press followed suit and it was Audley Hunting Season in GB, this was the same press that never rated Lennox Lewis then got collective amnesia when he became “our” champion! In his first career stage Audley has played the time immemorial heavyweight game contender, his opponents stacked up Ok and his skills are off the chart; now he is lost to the British public.

Tonight Audley returns and I sincerely hope he impresses and shakes off some ring rust; his opponent is a respected as well as an exciting fighter so if Audley wins he is in a good position. Robert Davis is in the winning habit as well as being a good trial horse so an impressive win would put Audley back on the map, Britain does not know how to develop fighters, Hatton is the exception not the rule so this move is good for Audley; when he returns to GB in triumph I hope he rides the press hard, they deserve it. In Audley we have a heavyweight with enormous potential, Warren knew this and his rants exposed his jealousy as Audley has more talent than most British heavies put together. Now he must show it consistently, it is all there for you Audley so I hope you will now go and take it.

For the record I am going for Audley to shake off some rust and grab a third round KO.


Questions Or Comments? Please Contact Terence "One Punch" Dooley