Boxing Preview: Audley Harrison – Danny Williams

Something’s Gotta Give

Click for larger image © Simon Shaw Saddoboxing.com

When Audley Harrison and Danny Williams square off for the vacant Commonwealth title on December 10th, we have on our hands the biggest British heavyweight battle since Lewis-Bruno, some twelve years ago. The Sports Network promoted card at The ExCel Arena, London is an excellent one, featuring the cream of British up-and-comers, in Amir Khan, Kevin Mitchell and Ross Minter.

Another highlight is the second fight in the comeback of miracle man Eamon Magee, as he faces Takaloo in defence of his WBU welterweight title. Topping the bill is Matt Skelton’s defence of his British Heavyweight title against John McDermott.

Let’s make no bones about it: Harrison-Williams is the one we all want to see. With the departure of Vitali Klitschko (temporary or otherwise), the result of this fight takes on greater significance, with the victor possibly a step or two away from a title shot, and the loser having, at best, a rebuilding job at hand and, at worst, the end of their career. Should Harrison get past Williams (and I think he will need to do it in good style) he will announce himself as a fighter capable of mixing it with the elite of the division. Audley can fight. I don’t think there can be any doubting that; he has the size and reach to compete with the biggest of super heavies and has an inside game, when he chooses to utilize it, which is as good, if not better, than anything out there. On the downside, question marks remain over Audley’s punch resistance and stamina; the only way those worries will go away is if Audley has to soak up some big punches and work hard over an extended period. And I think he will have to do both in this fight.

Danny Williams has, and always will be, something of an enigma. On occasions he has shown incredible bravery, most notably knocking out Mark Potter with one arm after tearing a rotator cuff and more recently his amazing win over Mike Tyson, although McBride’s “win” added a little perspective to that. In stark contrast, Williams has shown a mental frailty in the ring. Two occasions that immediately spring to mind are his damaging loss to European boss Sinan Samil Sam and his antics while losing his British and Commonwealth titles to Michael Sprott. Despite his chequered past, Williams represents the biggest obstacle to date in Audley Harrison’s career. He is a seasoned pro who has seen it all, he can punch and he can take a punch. And if you believe in lady luck, she is most definitely smiling on Williams at present.

When Danny was due to fight Matt Skelton his eleventh hour sick note didn’t go down well with promoter Frank Warren, so much so that Warren vowed never to work with Williams again. But with Ricky Hatton refusing to work with Warren and Joe Calzaghe unable to work for anybody, Danny Williams really lucked out. Despite his words Warren is a master of right fight at the right time and he has come up trumps with Harrison-Williams.

If I had to make a prediction, I’d be backing Harrison to win. In what is certainly Danny Williams’ last shot at the big time, he will come in and try to bully Audley and look to score the early victory. If Audley can weather
the early storm I see him picking and poking at Williams with jabs and southpaw lefts to score a unanimous decision, although it wouldn’t surprise me to see Danny retire on his stool at around the eight round mark as has become the norm with the beaten fighter.

Contact Matt Cotterell: mattcotterell@hotmail.co.uk