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Audley Harrison managed to rub some of the tarnish off his career last night by winning Prizefighter Heavyweights III at London’s Excel Arena.
As usual among this series of three round extravaganzas, there were upsets galore as the original lineup of eight fighters went to work in the opening quarterfinal stage.
In a real shocker, British champion Danny Williams was floored twice by massive but inexperienced Sheffield southpaw Carl Baker, who survived Williams’ desperate third round barrage to record a 29-26, 29-26 and 28-27 win.
Another surprise saw undefeated Irishman Coleman Barrett post a narrow verdict over far more seasoned former British champ Scott Gammer of Wales via scores of 29-28 on all three cards.
The other quarterfinal bouts saw fireworks as Harrison stop giant but chinny Belfast man Scott Belshaw in two and unbeaten Danny Hughes did the same to Neil Perkins in one.
With Williams out of the way, Harrison had a clearer field and he made it into the finals by using his experience to get past a determined Hughes over three to post a 30-26, 29-27 and 29-28 victory.
The other semi-final saw Barrett thrash out a points win over Baker by the same margins he got past Gammer with, 29-28 on all the cards.
The Galway born London resident wouldn’t be so lucky against Harrison as the southpaws tangled in the final.
Barrett let loose his arsenal in the early going and was taking the fight to Harrison before a perfect power left from “A-Force” changed matters in an instant, finishing off the Irishman at 2:40 of the second frame.
With the victory, Harrison wins £32,000 along with the Prizefighter Heavyweights III trophy and vows to build upon this triumph and resume his quest for a world title.
