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If you ever needed proof that boxing is one of the strangest and most bizarre sports in the world then this fight would be the clincher.Look at the facts: on a card celebrating Frank Warren’s twenty five years in the business, he finally secures a match up between one fighter he said he would never work with again and another who he has continually berated in his newspaper column. |
In July Danny Williams had all but blown any chance of a meaningful fight under the Frank Warren banner, by pulling out of a British title challenge against Matt Skelton at twenty four hours notice. Harrison, meanwhile, after calling Danny Williams names at every opportunity, relocated to the States after his deal with the BBC had come to a close. So now, in unexpected circumstances, the two finally meet. Who’s going to come out on top?
In a fight billed as the biggest heavyweight fight in the UK since Lewis v Bruno, this bout, for me, has the look of Lewis v Mason back in 1991. In one corner we have Harrison, the Olympian, who has fought his early career against opponents heavily criticised by the press. He has also relocated to the states. See the similarities with Lewis?
In the other corner we have Williams, a man who has been successful at British level but, ultimately, at the very highest level has failed to take that one last step, very similar to Mason, in my opinion.
When the two fighters step into the ring on the 10th of December, both know this is a crossroads fight. For Williams it very likely is his last chance. So many times frustrating, but undeniably talented, Williams has lost fights he had the ability to win. Fighters such as Julius Francis, Samil Sam and Michael Sprott were men Williams certainly had the capabilty of beating. Arguably his biggest win was against Tyson, albeit a Tyson way past his prime. In that bout he took some blockbuster punches against Iron Mike before stopping his foe in the fourth. There’s no doubting his bravery. If anyone saw his British title win over Mark Potter, when he won with a dislocated shoulder, they would have no doubt. Also, in his world title challenge against Vitali Klitschko, he was brave in taking a one sided beating against arguably the number one man in the division today.
In the other corner, we have Audley Harrison, Olympic Champion in the 2000 Sydney Games. If you had asked me where I thought Harrison would be five years after winning the gold, I would have certainly said at least challenging for a world title. In his four and a half years as a professional, Harrison has shown flashes of
the undeniable talent he has. His problem, as was the case with Lennox Lewis early in his career, was the level of competition. Unbeaten in 19 professional fights with 14 KOs, Audley has yet to fight a top ten opponent. The biggest name on his record is Julius Francis, on a night he failed to look impressive. This now is Harrison’s night in the spotlight!
For me, the result of the fight depends more on which Danny Wllliams shows up rather than which Audley Harrison. Has the Klitschko beating aged him? How mentally focused will he be? There’s no doubt he should be up for this one as, there’s definitely no love lost between the two men.
For me, though, I think Harrison is the man going places. In his last two fights, since relocating to the states, he has looked very efficient and seems to be ready to finally take that step into the upper league. And there’s no doubt the southpaw stance will cause problems. I also think that, at this stage, Harrison’s freshness will be the difference-maker.
As I write this article, the bout is still six weeks away, so anything is possible, especially in this the weirdest of sports. Not for wanting to wish my life away, but I’m just waiting for the days to count down to December 10 for these two men to finally share a ring.
Lee Bellfield
