Audley Harrison

Audley Harrison

Infobox Boxer



name= Audley Harrison
realname=Audley Harrison
nickname=Hardly Anything,Parcel force, Uk Mail, A-Farce, Audrey, Ordinary.
weight=Heavyweight
height=height|ft=6|in=5
reach=86 in (2.18 m)
nationality=Flagicon|UK British
birth_date=Birth date and age|1971|10|26|mf=y
birth_place=London
death_date|=01/10/08
death_place|=Boxing Ring against an unknown
style=Southpaw
total=26
wins=23
KO=17
losses=3
draws=0
no contests=0|

Audley Harrison, (born on October 26, 1971 in London), is a Great Britain Heavyweight boxer. In 2000 in Sydney he became the first Briton to win an Olympic gold medal in the Superheavyweight division since the competition's inception in 1984. He was also the first Briton to take Olympic gold in 32 years and the first at the highest weight class since 1920. After his Olympic success he turned professional, fighting in Great Britain and America, though without the success of the other former olympic champions.

Amateur career

Boxing out of Repton Amateur Boxing Club in Bethnal Green, London, Harrison became British national Superheavyweight champion in 1997, defeating Nick Kendall in the final. He retained the title in 1998, defeating Dean Redmond, [ [http://www.abae.co.uk/Honour/Senior/national/1990/index.asp Amateur Boxing Association of England] ] and won Gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games beating Michael Macquae of Mauritius in the final. In 2000 he won Gold at the Sydney Olympics by defeating Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov of Kazakhstan on points.

Turning professional

After his medal win, Harrison was awarded an MBE and landed a £1 million deal with the BBC to show his first ten professional fights.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1126267.stm|title=Harrison signs deal with BBC|accessdate=2007-05-25|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2001] The first was against US club fighter Michael Middleton, whom Harrison knocked out in the first round.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/1342068.stm|title=Trainer happy with Audley opener|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2001] He was then out of action for several months with a pectoral injury, but by the end of the year outpointed Briton Derek McCafferty over six rounds.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/2507433.stm|title=Harrison lands quick win|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2002] Harrison was criticized in the boxing press for his seeming unwillingness to take on his fellow British contenders such as Michael Sprott, Matt Skelton, Keith Long, or Pele Reid.

Harrison continued to and in February 2003 he took out US club fighter Rob Calloway in 4 rounds,Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/2741453.stm|title=Harrison victorious again|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2003] outpointed Ratko Draskovic over 8 slow rounds,Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/2894029.stm|title=Competent win for Harrison|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2003] and knocked out one-time British fringe contender Matt Ellis in 2 rounds. Although Herbie Hide and Danny Williams were calling him out, Harrison tried to arrange a fight with 41 year old ex-World champion Frank Bruno, who had been retired for 7 years. A war of words at York Hall, Bethnal Green with the erratic Hide after the Ellis fight resulted in a violent and unsightly riot.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/2953326.stm|title=Hide fracas mars Harrison victory|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2003] The proposed Frank Bruno fight collapsed shortly afterwards, when Bruno was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

America

Following the bad press from the Ellis riot and increasing pressure to fight Hide or British champion Danny Williams, Harrison relocated to the US, in a move that was heavily criticised in the press, who questioned his willingness to fight a dangerous opponent.

He had three more fights in 2003, against veteran journeymen Lisandro Diaz (KO4),Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3155160.stm|title=Easy victory for Harrison|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2003] Quinn Navarre (KO3),Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3095646.stm|title=Harrison shines in Miami|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2003] and Brian Nix (KO3),Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3309515.stm|title=Harrison cruises past Nix|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2003] in America. Harrison's technique had appeared to improve, and he was sparring regularly with experienced world class Heavyweights like Vaughn Bean.

Harrison returned to the UK in 2004, but instead of fighting new British champion Michael Sprott for the British title, he fought unknown Dutch fighter Richel Hersisia for the lightly regarded WBF World belt. He knocked out Hersisia in 4 rounds.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3549785.stm|title=Harrison takes WBF title|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2004|author=Alex Trickett] He defended the title twice: a 12 round points win over 40 year old late-sub Julius Francis,Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3697427.stm|title=Harrison toils to victory|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2004] and a 9th round TKO of unknown Tomasz Bonin,Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3821087.stm|title=Audley stops brave Bonin|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2004] both fights being heavily criticised for being slow and dull. After suffering a serious ligament tear in his left hand requiring hand surgery in New York, Harrison did not fight for almost a year. He was dropped by the BBC, who decided to take all boxing off their schedule permanently. By now Harrison had acquired the nickname "Fraudley" and was again criticized for not taking on credible opponents or performing to the standard expected of an Olympic champion. He refused professional management, managing himself through his company "A-Force Promotions", named after the nickname he prefers, 'Audley "A Force" Harrison'. Harrison defended his slow introduction to the professional game by pointing to the need to gain experience gradually.

Harrison resurfaced in June 2005 in the US. He knocked out two journeymen, Robert Davis (KO7)Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4079392.stm|title=Harrison canters to win on return|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2005] and Robert Wiggins (KO4)Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4146318.stm|title=Harrison too strong for Wiggins|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2005] on The Best Damn Sports Show Period, and said he was now ready to step up and face world class opponents and get a title shot. Harrison returned to the UK in December to face long-time bitter rival Danny Williams in London for the Commonwealth title.

UK and America

Harrison's fight against Williams proved infamous for its lack of action and for Harrison's negative performance. In the 10th round Williams decked Harrison, but Harrison came back in the next round to throw punches at last and hurt Williams. Harrison lost a close, split decision to the delight of the crowd, who had begun to see Harrison as the bad guy in British boxing for his big talk but failure to deliver.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4517792.stm|title=Williams revels in Harrison win|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2005]

In April 2006 Harrison travelled to the US and tried to save his career by taking on one-time hot prospect Dominick Guinn. Guinn had won 24 fights in a row until his own negative style led to key defeats by Monte Barrett and James Toney. In an important fight for both men, Harrison was again reluctant to throw punches, and was actually outworked by the notoriously negative Guinn who won on points.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4734192.stm|title=Dire Harrison outpointed by Guinn|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2006]

In June 2006 Harrison scored a three round knockout of journeyman Andrew Greeley in an off-TV fight in America,Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/5068846.stm|title=Audley returns with knockout win|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2006] and was poised for a fight with Matt Skelton to try to resurrect his career. Skelton had beaten Danny Williams in July, winning the title Williams had earlier taken from Harrison. When Skelton dropped out only one week before the fight due to injury, Danny Williams replaced him.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6200390.stm|title=Williams set for Harrison rematch|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2006]

Williams had trained 8 weeks for a fight with British champion Scott Gammer. This time Harrison fought far more aggressively, decking Williams twice and winning on a third round knockout. Williams suffered a broken nose and severe lacerations.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6165869.stm|title=Harrison in bloody Williams win|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2006]

Following the victory over Williams, Harrison signed a promotional deal with boxing promoter Frank Warren with the aim of getting Harrison a world title fight in 2007. Warren and Harrison had been looking to arrange a fight with British Heavyweight Champion Scott Gammer.

On 17 February 2007, Harrison was knocked out by Michael Sprott for the European Union title. Having knocked Sprott down in the first round, Harrison threw a right in the third round that missed. At the same time Sprott threw his own left hook catching the off-balance Harrison flush on the chin with his mouth open. The referee called the fight immediately, it being clear that Harrison would not make the count.

This third professional loss left Harrison's future uncertain. Harrison claimed that he could make a comeback, but comments by Frank Warren suggested that any return to the ring would be for a significantly reduced purse, since the public would have no great interest.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6372997.stm|title=Warren questions Audley's future|accessdate=2007-04-22|publisher=BBC Sport|year=2007]

Harrison announced a low-key comeback fight against UK journeyman Paul King scheduled for 29 September, 2007 in Sheffield. However, he and his coach Kelvyn Travis were involved in a car accident on 21 September 2007 in the USA, and Harrison suffered injuries that caused the fight to be cancelled. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7009219.stm Harrison cancels bout after crash] Harrison had also suggested that a deal would be announced involving promoter Dennis Hobson, but the cancellation of the fight meant that a formal announcement was on hold. [ [http://www.audleyharrison.com/boxingnews/detail.asp?id=282&p=1 AudleyHarrison.com - The Official Website - Boxing News ] ] Harrison underwent surgery for his injuries, [cite web|url=http://www.audleyharrison.com/audleys-corner/detail.asp?id=129&p=1|title=Audley Undergoes Surgery|accessdaymonth=1 November | accessyear=2007|publisher=www.audleyharrison.com] and returned on April 19 2008, beating the American Jason Barnett in the fifth round on the undercard of the Bernard Hopkins/Joe Calzaghe fight at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7355929.stm|title=Harrison labours to comeback win|Publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-04-20]

After proposed matches with Samuel Peter and Martin Rogancite news
title = Rogan and Harrison trade verbals
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7476094.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2008-06-26
accessdate = 2008-07-10
] cite news
title = Audley's big night is KO'd
url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article1415916.ece
publisher = The Sun
date = 2008-07-12
accessdate = 2008-07-18
] fell through, on 6 September, 2008 Harrison gained what the BBC described as "an unconvincing victory" over George Ariascite news
title = Hesitant Harrison claims victory
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7602421.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2008-09-07
accessdate = 2008-09-08
] at the MEN Arena in Manchester. The fight was overshadowed by Amir Khan's first defeat later on the same card.

Amateur record

*1998 at the European Super Heavyweight Championships in Minsk, Belarus, lost to Serguei Lyakhovich (Belarus)
*1998 Commonwealth Games Super Heavyweight Gold Medalist. Results were:
**Defeated Fai Falamoe (New Zealand) points
**Defeated Jim Whitehead (Australia) KO 3
**Defeated Michael Macquae (Mauritius) KO 1
*1999 competed at the World Championships in Houston, United States. Results were:
**Defeated Lazizbek Zokirov (Uzbekistan) points
**Lost to Sinan Samil Sam (Turkey) points
*Won the Super Heavyweight Gold Medal representing Great Britain at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Results were:
**Defeated Alexei Lezin (Russia) TKO 4
**Defeated Alexey Mazikin (Ukraine) points
**Defeated Paolo Vidoz (Italy) points
**Defeated Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov (Kazakhstan) points

Professional record

References

External links

* [http://www.audleyharrison.com/ Official site]
*


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