Audley Harrison

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Audley Harrison

Statistics
Real name Audley Harrison
Nickname(s) A-Force, Ordinary, Audrey, A-Pack, Fraudley[1][2]
Rated at Heavyweight
Nationality Flag of the United Kingdom British
Birth date October 26, 1971 (1971-10-26) (age 36)
Birth place London
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights 25
Wins 22
Wins by KO 17
Losses 3
Draws 0
No contests 0
Olympic medal record
Men's boxing
Gold 2000 Sydney Super heavyweight

Audley Harrison, (born on October 26, 1971 in London), is a British 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 boxing 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 other former Olympic champions.

Contents

[edit] 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.[3] The first was against US club fighter Michael Middleton, whom Harrison knocked out in the first round.[4] 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.[5] 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,[6] outpointed Ratko Draskovic over 8 slow rounds,[7] 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.[8] The proposed Frank Bruno fight collapsed shortly afterwards, when Bruno was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

[edit] 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),[9] Quinn Navarre (KO3),[10] and Brian Nix (KO3),[11] 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.[12] He defended the title twice: a 12 round points win over 40 year old late-sub Julius Francis,[13] and a 9th round TKO of unknown Tomasz Bonin,[14] 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)[15] and Robert Wiggins (KO4)[16] 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.

[edit] 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.[17]

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.[18]

In June 2006 Harrison scored a three round knockout of journeyman Andrew Greeley in an off-TV fight in America,[19] 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.[20]

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.[21]

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.[22]

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.[23] 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.[24] Harrison underwent surgery for his injuries,[25] 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.[26] In May 2008, Frank Warren announced Harrison could be a line for a shock world title shot against Samuel Peter at The O2 in London.

[edit] Amateur career

  • 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:

[edit] Professional record

Fight number Date Opponent Won/Lost Decision Round Location
25 20 April 2008 Jason Barnett W TKO 5 Las Vegas, USA
24 17 February 2007 Michael Sprott L KO 3 London (Wembley Arena)
23 9 December 2006 Danny Williams W TKO 3 London
22 9 June 2006 Andrew Greeley W KO 3 Atlantic City, USA
21 14 April 2006 Dominic Guinn L UD 10 Rancho Mirage, USA
20 10 December 2005 Danny Williams L SD 12 London
19 18 August 2005 Robert Wiggins W TKO 4 San Jose, USA
18 9 June 2005 Robert Davis W TKO 7 Temecula, USA
17 19 June 2004 Tomasz Bonin W TKO 9 London (WBF)
16 8 May 2004 Julius Francis W PTS 12 Bristol (WBF)
15 20 March 2004 Richel Hersisia W KO 4 London (Wembley Arena)
14 12 December 2003 Brian Nix W TKO 3 Laughlin, USA
13 3 October 2003 Lisandro Diaz W TKO 4 Las Vegas, USA
12 9 September 2003 Quinn Navarre W KO 3 Miami
11 31 May 2003 Matthew Ellis W TKO 2 London
10 29 March 2003 Ratko Draskovic W PTS 8 London
9 8 February 2003 Rob Calloway W TKO 4 London
8 23 November 2002 Shawn Robinson W TKO 1 Atlantic City, USA
7 5 October 2002 Wade Lewis W TKO 2 Liverpool
6 10 July 2002 Dominic Negus W PTS 6 London
5 21 May 2002 Mark Krence W PTS 6 London
4 20 April 2002 Julius Long W TKO 2 London
3 20 October 2001 Piotr Jurczyk W TKO 2 Glasgow
2 22 September 2001 Derek McCafferty W PTS 6 Newcastle
1 19 May 2001 Mike Middleton W TKO 1 London

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sue Mott (5 December 2005). Suddenly, Fraudley v Has-Been is a battle of serious contenders. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
  2. ^ Frank Warren (19 December 2005). YES, HE REALLY IS FRAUDLEY. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
  3. ^ Harrison signs deal with BBC. BBC Sport (2001). Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
  4. ^ Trainer happy with Audley opener. BBC Sport (2001). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  5. ^ Harrison lands quick win. BBC Sport (2002). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  6. ^ Harrison victorious again. BBC Sport (2003). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  7. ^ Competent win for Harrison. BBC Sport (2003). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  8. ^ Hide fracas mars Harrison victory. BBC Sport (2003). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  9. ^ Easy victory for Harrison. BBC Sport (2003). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  10. ^ Harrison shines in Miami. BBC Sport (2003). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  11. ^ Harrison cruises past Nix. BBC Sport (2003). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  12. ^ Alex Trickett (2004). Harrison takes WBF title. BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  13. ^ Harrison toils to victory. BBC Sport (2004). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  14. ^ Audley stops brave Bonin. BBC Sport (2004). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  15. ^ Harrison canters to win on return. BBC Sport (2005). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  16. ^ Harrison too strong for Wiggins. BBC Sport (2005). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  17. ^ Williams revels in Harrison win. BBC Sport (2005). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  18. ^ Dire Harrison outpointed by Guinn. BBC Sport (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  19. ^ Audley returns with knockout win. BBC Sport (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  20. ^ Williams set for Harrison rematch. BBC Sport (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  21. ^ Harrison in bloody Williams win. BBC Sport (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-30.
  22. ^ Warren questions Audley's future. BBC Sport (2007). Retrieved on 2007-04-22.
  23. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7009219.stm Harrison cancels bout after crash
  24. ^ AudleyHarrison.com - The Official Website - Boxing News
  25. ^ Audley Undergoes Surgery. www.audleyharrison.com. Retrieved on 1 November 2007.
  26. ^ Harrison labours to comeback win. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.

[edit] External links