Can Robert Wiggins Knock Off Audley Harrison?

Robert Wiggins goes into his contest this Thursday with unbeaten British heavyweight hopeful Audley Harrison a decided underdog. The big Briton has sterling amateur credentials and comes bearing a perfect record in the professional ranks since taking off the headgear in 2001. Harrison has the reach, the skills and the height going for him.

On paper this looks like a drubbing but one thing Wiggins does have is the knowledge that he’s spoiled the party before. The southpaw from Rhode Island has faced more accomplished foes than Harrison and he’s knocked a few of those men out, which makes this a dangerous fight for the unbeaten starlet.

Harrison, 18-0 (13), has only really had to dig deep once in his career, against undefeated Polish hardman Tomasz Bonin in June of last year. Bonin troubled Harrison in a dogfight and many feel that the bout was stopped to early after the action was halted in the 9th round. Since then Harrison sat out a year with injury before coming back and stopping veteran Robert Davis in seven.

Wiggins is more dangerous than his 20-4-1 (12) record would suggest. The relatively short slugger put Courage Tshabalala out in five last month, avenged a loss by decisioned a good prospect in Derek Bryant last year, gave top contenders DaVarryl Williamson and Monte Barrett close calls in 2003 and knocked top prospect Eric Kirkland out in the tenth and final round in 2001.

At six foot six and possessing a superb jab, Harrison should be able to keep Wiggins at bay, picking the shorter opponent off on the way in but the fact that Harrison’s chin has never really been tested could come into play during this bout. If Audley suffers any defensive lapses or should he tire late in the bout, an answer to that question just might be provided by the bomb throwing American.

The Englishman has a lot riding on this bout and must begin the process of backing up his pledges to dominate the heavyweight division with this fight. Anything less than a riveting performance against the willful Wiggins could relegate Harrison to the pack of fighters already
professing their superiority, but without anything concrete to back such statements up, in this woeful weight class.

Contact Curtis McCormick at thomaspointrd@aol.com