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The Echo Arena, Liverpool is the venue this Saturday night when in a battle of the Olympians, 2008 Super heavyweight bronze medalist David Price, takes on the gold medalist from the 2000 Sydney games, Audley Harrison, for the British and Commonwealth Heavyweight championship.
Its certainly a battle of the giants and certainly in Harrison’s case, the last chance saloon and his final opportunity in a major boxing occasion. Harrison promised so much after winning gold in Sydney 12 years ago.
After a quick fire win on his pro debut in a mega bucks deal with the BBC, Harrison would go onto to win his first 19 professional fights before running into his major domestic rival at the time Danny Williams in 2005.
In what was quite frankly a let down of a fight, Harrison would lose for the first time in his pro career. More letdown would follow in his next fight when losing a 10 round decision to perennial contender Dominick Guinn.
Harrison would resurrect his career in December 2006 when gaining revenge against Danny Williams in three rounds.
This fight seemed to introduce us to a new big punching, risk taking Harrison but funnily enough that would prove his undoing in February 2007 against Michael Sprott.
After an impressive first three rounds, Harrison walked onto a humdinger of a punch to separate him from his senses and hand him his third loss.
Since then, Harrison’s career has been spent on undercards although he did win Sky sports Prizefighter competition which earned him a title shot against then WBA champion David Haye. In a dismal performance, Harrison was dismantled in three rounds.
Price, from Liverpool, is a man on the up. Undefeated in 13 with 11 KO’s since turning pro, he has slowly but surely increased the quality of his opposition on the way to winning the Commonwealth and British Heavyweight championship.
Respected John McDermott was blown away in one round in January this year and in a hometown fight, Price was also punch perfect in my eyes when knocking out Sam Sexton in four.
Its easy to discount Harrison in this one but for all his disappointments he does have genuine talent. You can say he lacks courage but one can point to his one armed win against Michael Sprott in the 12th round when injured and behind on points to disprove this.
Both fighters, for big men, have fast hands and one feels Harrison may try and work behind the southpaw jab trying to counter Pricem who is a big hitter. Harrison, you feel, will be wary.
That being said, I think Price will get through eventually by about the fifth.
