Audley didn't look that bad. Haye pushes right buttons.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 05:08

I watched the fight last night, (thanks J), and I have to say, I think everyone is getting way too down on Audley based on that performance.

It looked to me like Audley was boxing well and truly within himself, and was trying to get rounds.

It was obvious to me that for most of the fight Audley was putting little or nothing on his shots, his jab was a mere flick and the left and right hands were little more than slaps.

When Audley did decide to put some punches together he dropped his man with the first solid left he connected.

I think Audley was maybe a little worried about gassing it, and that's why he left it so late to actually put some punches together.

As for running I didn't see him running myself.

It was a boring fight, and Audley was boxing extremely conservatively, but I don't really see it as the end of his ambitions or anything close.

Haye on the other hand made a believer of me against Williams. Sure his defence still needs tightening, but his reflexes looked razor sharp, and his combination of speed and power were awesome. I do think the stoppage was a little premature, but I could see why it was stopped as Williams was offering little or no resistance and was heading for a beating anyhow.

Haye's post fight comments were refreshing, he really does sound like he intends to take the path of greatest resistance, and he did appear to be having a direct pop at Ricky in there, when he mentioned the 35-0 padded record.

Haye's confidence could cause him to come unstuck, but I don't think if he loses early in his career that it is going to dent his marketability or popularity one bit. Haye is definetly for real.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 05:41

Like I said James, I didn't think Audley's performance was that bad. He managed to control Francis and outbox him all night, although Julius was definitely caught square on in the 12th when he went down.

But it's becoming more and more cringe inducing the way Harrison talks about becoming a world champion. A rampaging Skelton will tire him out and stop him inside 8 rounds. The champion simply has nothing to fear.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 05:53

Audley won't be bitchslapping when Skelton comes forward, and Skelton is hardly nimble of hand and foot.

I still think Audley will beat Skelton if they fight, though I am beginning to have my doubts about his world title credentials.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 06:03

If Audley had world class physical fitness he could beat Skelton, without a doubt. But in reality he's going to take so much out of himself just trying to keep the guy off he'll never make it through 12 rounds.

J · Post by J » 20 May 2004, 06:03

Pleasure buddy glad it got there ok, I agree he stepped it up on the last two rounds and was never in trouble.

I dunno if he will win a world title but he sure will prgress enough to get a shot at one I believe, then anything can happen (tho I dont feel he has a hope against Vitali)

Aud wanted to get the 12 under hios belt and did so, a different fighter will be on display against someone like skelton.

Haye is gonna be a superstar

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 06:09

It's like Colin Hart said in his scathing attack, Audley might have completed 12 rounds but how valuable was it considering how hard he was made (or not made) to work? All he had to do was stay on his feet for 36 minutes and flick out that southpaw jab. Francis threw about 5 power punches per round and is no puncher anyway.

All this talk of the vital 12 rounds experience doesn't mean a great deal.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 06:12

Yes, I was concerned that Audley looked open mouthed a couple of times, I wonder whether he is naturally athletic enough to fight at a pace required of a naturally cautious combination puncher.

Perhaps he isn't yet in tip top condition, he had better be when he fights Skelton, or he'd better sit on his punches and let Skelton have it, because otherwise he's going to struggle in the later rounds.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 May 2004, 06:20

Kilburn wrote:It's like Colin Hart said in his scathing attack, Audley might have completed 12 rounds but how valuable was it considering how hard he was made (or not made) to work? All he had to do was stay on his feet for 36 minutes and flick out that southpaw jab. Francis threw about 5 power punches per round and is no puncher anyway.

All this talk of the vital 12 rounds experience doesn't mean a great deal.

Yeah, it doesn't mean squat, I don't buy this "plan to go the rounds" B/S - and that is not because it is coming from Audley's mouth. When I fight, I want the job done as soon as I can. Sure, you don't go guns blazing for the kill with every punch - that is suicidal. But against a punch bag it is teaching you f all.

You don't get paid for over time, how many fighters after long layoffs due you geniunly see gutted after a 1st round KO - not many. As someone quite righfully said "You don't get paid for overtime in this buisness".

Wlad fans claimed their man proved he had good stamina cause he went 10 with McCline and did quite a few rounds vs Barrett, Botha and Mercer. But they were at his own pace, when he was but under some pressure, by the real life Rocky Balboa (Lamon Brewster), he folded big style.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 06:28

It was Lloyd Honeyghan who said that I believe.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 06:35

But anyway, David Haye was savagely destructive against Williams. I think he really showed how good he can be when he's 100% focused on a job.

And it's great to see that wide eyed, to-the-point manner that comes across in his interviews. You just know you're not going to get any bullshit from him.

J · Post by J » 20 May 2004, 06:43

Kilburn wrote:But anyway, David Haye was savagely destructive against Williams. I think he really showed how good he can be when he's 100% focused on a job.

And it's great to see that wide eyed, to-the-point manner that comes across in his interviews. You just know you're not going to get any bullshit from him.

couldnt agree more what a refreshing change he makes

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 20 May 2004, 06:52

jamesmcdonnell wrote:It was Lloyd Honeyghan who said that I believe.

It was. Classic quote. Think it was after he'd brutalised Gene Hatcher in about 45 seconds. Though it might have been the Johnny Bumphus fight when he rushed off his stool at the start of the second and 'mugged him'.
People like Naz have nicked it since then.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 06:59

"The bell went ding, I went dong."

Classic.....

DOG · Post by **DOG** » 20 May 2004, 07:39

jamesmcdonnell wrote:"The bell went ding, I went dong."

Classic.....

don't keep talking about Lloyd please.
A British fighter who did things the right way, and took on the best in the world?
I am getting all misty-eyed remembering

Great, Great Days

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 20 May 2004, 07:45

DOG wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:"The bell went ding, I went dong."

Classic.....
don't keep talking about Lloyd please.
A British fighter who did things the right way, and took on the best in the world?
I am getting all misty-eyed remembering

Great, Great Days

You're right. He was a fool. Why on earth did he go to the States and fight their top boys when he could have fought in Bermondsey in amazing WBU/IBO unification fights against the bloke from the local chippie...

Lefthookhappy19 · Post by **Lefthookhappy19** » 20 May 2004, 10:29

Audley looked very worried about running out of gas, its been suspected of him in some of his previous fights as well. He shouldn't tap with his punches, he should have tried to get Francis out of their early. Francis was never going to threaten Audley and as bad as Audleys stamina was or is, Francis's is even worse. He really could have made a statement in this fight.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 10:37

I think that is the whole point, Audley is of a hypercautious nature I feel, and he wanted to make sure that he had the gas for the whole fight. With Francis being that much more experienced, he was probably worried that Francis would whack him out late on if he gassed.

Whilst this indicates a nature that is not going to be best suited to world title level boxing, it is sensible I suppose.

It was obviously important to Audley to prove to himself that he could last the distance, but ultimately he has a crowd to please too, and he seemed to totally ignore that on this occasion.

I have no doubt that if Audley had let his hands go around the middle rounds he could have gotten Francis out of there.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 11:11

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I have no doubt that if Audley had let his hands go around the middle rounds he could have gotten Francis out of there.

IMO if he could've he would've.

Francis doesn't get stopped at domestic level (scratched eyeballs aside).

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 11:16

The how come he was flicking the jab and pitty-pattying with almost all of his punches then?

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 11:29

Because putting weight behind his punches would have taken more out of him than Julius.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 11:34

Not if he'd stiffed him.

Come on do you really think Fatarse Sanil Sam is fitter than Audley, I find that extremely hard to believe, and Sanil Sam is hardly the second coming of Tyson when it comes to punchpower either.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 11:40

Samil Sam is A LOT fitter and stronger than Audley. His workrate is far superior and you don't see him getting pushed back by smaller guys.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 11:43

Stronger yes, Fitter, I beg to differ. Just because Audley doesn't extend himself doesn't make him less fit.

I think in the fullness of time this Audley fight will be put into it's proper perspective as nothing more than a feeling out process by Audley.

Having said that, I'm glad I didn't buy a ticket to see it.

J · Post by J » 20 May 2004, 11:47

I have to agree here wiht Jmc if you cant see Aud was not working to his full potential in the francis fight you should watch it again.
the guy didnt even sit in betwen rounds til halfway thru the fight

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 11:52

But when you lack natural strength (which Audley clearly does for such a big man) you surely have to have an exceptional level of fitness to hang in there. And he just does not have that.

I've been saying it from the start - without developing Ali-like footwork Harrison isn't going to be able to stop even the Skeltons of this world chopping him down.