Aud responds to Warren.

jameswilson · Post by **jameswilson** » 20 May 2004, 11:25

London, ENGLAND (May 20th, 2004) – Olympic heavyweight gold medallist Audley Harrison (16-0, 11KOs) denies all statements made this week by British promoter allegedly blaming him for blocking a potential fight with current British heavyweight champion Matt Skelton. “All of these accusations are rubbish and Frank knows it,” said Harrison. “He has wasted my time with insincere discussions and non-existent opportunities as it’s now obvious they were never serious about fighting me on June 19th and it has nothing to do with negotiations or money”

Instead, Harrison will continue his career against an opponent to be named next week. The fight will be held at the Alexandra Palace in North London and shown on the BBC. “I am not going to put my career on hold for anyone including Matt Skelton or allegedly when its clear they need me more than I need them,” said Harrison. “Although it would have been nice to fight for the British title, I have no intention of letting someone else’s timetable dictate my plans and future success.”

Harrison continued. “From the beginning of our discussions, I made it crystal clear to Frank that if we could not agree on the June 19th fight, I would be moving on and not waiting for a proposed October date. It’s unrealistic and totally unacceptable for them to think that I would wait five more months when the fight is right for me now. By autumn, I intend to be making a much more significant step in my career than a Skelton fight.”

Harrison and Warren’s relationship was turning amicable after years of verbal jabs and sparring between the two camps. A visit by Harrison to Warren’s box at an Arsenal game led to an invitation by Warren to Harrison to meet and discuss fighting Skelton. Harrison met Warren prior to his May 8th fight in Bristol—where he won a unanimous decision over Julius Francis—and the duo agreed to meet immediately after Harrison’s fight to have more in-depth discussions about using Harrison’s June 19th BBC date to make an immediate bout with Skelton happen.

“Negotiations have to start somewhere and we, A-Force Promotions made the first offer to show we were serious about the fight,” said Harrison. “However instead of coming back to us with a counter offer, Warren then scheduled a fight for Skelton, rumoured to be against Keith Long, yet another of Warren’s ‘merry men’ for June 5th.”

He continued. “I was waiting for him to come back to me and the next thing I know they had announced the June 5th fight so who really wants to fight who here,” said Harrison. “As is the process with all negotiations, Frank has denied me the opportunity to improve my offer which was far greater than the £75,000 which has been reported in the press. Surely the opportunity to defeat the Olympic Champion in a prime time slot on BBC television was good value and far more beneficial to Matt Skelton’s career.”

As far as the reported £400,000 that Harrison apparently sought for a pay-per-view fight with Skelton, Harrison claims it was Warren who brought up the money first. “It’s just another excuse by Warren to justify the June 5th “tune-up” fight for Skelton,” said Harrison. “In fact, it was Frank who was telling me that I could potentially get £400,000 out of £1,000,000 for a pay-per-view fight based on the fact that I added more value to the show than his own fighter. The next thing I know he announces a June date for Skelton, prior to our meeting. It’s all garbage and a big smoke screen by Warren.”

Harrison continued. “The fact is, he already has a pay-per-view event planned for October and he needs me to help make it happen. The fact that Skelton versus Long is at York Hall and a non pay-per-view event supports my argument. So GET REAL AND wake up Frank! You and your boy Skelton need me to make this event happen and I am not interested in giving Skelton a pension payout.”

As for Skelton, Harrison sees no need in responding to the former K1 fighter. “Once again another British fighter is using my name to capitalise on his career. He’s going through his 15 minutes of fame at the moment and fair play to him. However, I can guarantee this to the British public—Matt Skelton will not become a legitimate heavyweight champion of the world and by next year Frank will have to find another pretender to call me out.”

from audleyharrison.com

Lefthookhappy19 · Post by **Lefthookhappy19** » 20 May 2004, 11:33

A PPV event in October, they can't seriously be considering putting Hatton vs Spadafora on ppv. If so they can go fornicate themselves because that is no where near ppv quality, its insulting.

Chambers · Post by **Chambers** » 20 May 2004, 11:44

allegedly trying to pull another fast one, he has got no intention of putting Skelton in with Our Audley. He will just keep talking drivel and weaseling his way out of anypotemtial crowd pleasing match-up ala Ricky Hatton

J · Post by J » 20 May 2004, 11:48

another thng that perplexed me was that Skelton fought harrison and SN and associates say it was a good performance but aud fights him a couple of months later and its a disgrace....errrr how that?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 May 2004, 11:53

It's called hypocrisy. Rife in the boxing world sadly.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 20 May 2004, 12:03

Audley should never have got involved with Warren anyway. Too many egos.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 12:07

J wrote:another thng that perplexed me was that Skelton fought harrison and SN and associates say it was a good performance but aud fights him a couple of months later and its a disgrace....errrr how that?

Skelton didn't look good against Francis by any means, but at least he wasn't shouting about being world champion afterwards. The British champ can admit to the level he's at unlike others.

J · Post by J » 20 May 2004, 12:11

but what do you expect Aud to say Kil? Yeah i was average I am average Ill never amount to anything

i also think he will go to a higher level than shrek.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 20 May 2004, 12:11

The fallout has started:
Kevin Sanders has labelled Olympic heavyweight champ Audley Harrison 'a chicken'.
Sanders trains British heavyweight titleholder Matt Skelton and reckons a deal had been struck for Harrison, the WBF heavyweight champion, to meet his man in October.
According to Sanders the deal had been done with promoter allegedly and all it needed was for Harrison to sign the contract.
''But he wouldn't agree to the terms,'' claimed Sanders. ''He demanded £400,000 to fight Skelton which was far more than was being offered.
''But I reckon it had nothing to do with the money – it's simply a case of Harrison being scared. He hasn't got the bottle to face Skelton. He's a chicken.''
Both Skelton and Harrison have fights against unnamed opponents booked for next month – Skelton on June 5 at York Hall, Bethnal Green, and Harrison a fortnight later. Then next up would have been the 'big one' in October.
''But I can't see it happening now,'' said Sanders. ''Harrison has priced himself out of the market.''

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 20 May 2004, 12:27

It gets a bit boring doesn't it.

If promoters in this country put as much effort into actually making a decent fight, as they do in trying to get one up on the opposition - Boxing would be in a far better state than it is now.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 20 May 2004, 12:37

J wrote:but what do you expect Aud to say Kil? Yeah i was average I am average Ill never amount to anything

No but I wish he'd stop trying to con the public into believing they're watching a world class fighter when they blatantly AINT. As a boxing fan I find it embarrassing.

J · Post by J » 20 May 2004, 12:40

Fair enough mate....i dont disagree with that but I do think he could challnegne for a decent title if he plays it right. VBut thats just my opinion.
Bear in mind also if he wanted to he could try and con the public that he is a world champ already, we know he aint but some of the more gullible members of the public may swallow the alphabet claim but to his credit he has not...so two sides to every coin.....

nasty · Post by **nasty** » 20 May 2004, 13:26

F*CK allegedly!

I'm back on board the Audley Express

That was a great reply to Warren Talking his usual Bullshit.

The fact is Skelton is Mediocre at best and won't do anything outside British level of competition.

ALL YOU BRITS SHOULS GET BEHIND YOUR MAN, AUDLEY!

Audley ain't no KO ARTIST but he's learning with every fight and he'll put everything together soon and show the world he's the 3rd best Heavyweight on the planet (behind No1 Tyson, No2 Bowe).

JULY 31st 2004 - THE GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT OF ALL TIME RETURNS TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT BOXING IS ALL ABOUT!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 WILL BE THE YEAR OF MIKE TYSON
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Parodies/Mike_Tyson.html
MR T vs MIKE TYSON - Make this Fight Happen!
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/mrtvtyson1/index.html
No1 Mike Tyson boxing Forum, Check it out NOW!
http://boxinginsider.ipbhost.com/index. ... owforum=13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 20 May 2004, 13:29

Lefthookhappy19 wrote:A PPV event in October, they can't seriously be considering putting Hatton vs Spadafora on ppv. If so they can go fornicate themselves because that is no where near ppv quality, its insulting.

Hatton-Spaddy along with Audley-Skelton he means. But i'm sure SKY would throw in the Tito-Mayorga/Forrest-Spinks card in as well 8) which would make the ppv worth it.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 20 May 2004, 14:52

guys, is this any real surprise?

allegedly has made a career out of this. year after year, he calls big names out for his undefeated, proetcted joke fighters, but never makes any real efforts to get them these big fights.

naz had to escape warren and finally get a 'real' fight some NINE years after he had turned pro, after SEVEN years of being a big name on the world scene.

allegedly will never change, hes a bum through and through.

jameswilson · Post by **jameswilson** » 20 May 2004, 15:34

I knew when Warren and the Maloney's were going on about an October date that there was no way Aud would agree with it. Aud should be looking to fight another ranked European, Im sure Valuev would be a good fight in everyones eyes as not only is he ranked above Audley by the EBU he is a big big guy and a progression from Julius Francis, Aud could then look at calling Samil Samm out and get his no1 ranking in the EBU that way. Hoffman v Krasniqui hasnt been set remember, I would expect if they announced the fight (Hoffman v Krasniqui) for tomorow that it would be 2 months away so it aint much good Skelton being no3 now as he will have to keep on beating good opponents to push for that mandatory. Do you expect Warren to put Skelton in with any of the guys ranked in the top 5 EBU(excluding the Klitschkos) the likes of Williams, Samm, Levin, Bakhtov. Skelton will knock over Keith Long and then he will be thinking what to do now.

DOG · Post by **DOG** » 21 May 2004, 05:21

nasty wrote:F*CK allegedly!

I'm back on board the Audley Express

That was a great reply to Warren Talking his usual Bullshit.

The fact is Skelton is Mediocre at best and won't do anything outside British level of competition.

ALL YOU BRITS SHOULS GET BEHIND YOUR MAN, AUDLEY!

Audley ain't no KO ARTIST but he's learning with every fight and he'll put everything together soon and show the world he's the 3rd best Heavyweight on the planet (behind No1 Tyson, No2 Bowe).

JULY 31st 2004 - THE GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT OF ALL TIME RETURNS TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT BOXING IS ALL ABOUT!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 WILL BE THE YEAR OF MIKE TYSON
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Parodies/Mike_Tyson.html
MR T vs MIKE TYSON - Make this Fight Happen!
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/mrtvtyson1/index.html
No1 Mike Tyson boxing Forum, Check it out NOW!
http://boxinginsider.ipbhost.com/index. ... owforum=13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nasty you are funny. but please

put the crack pipe down
No1 Tyson
No2 Bowe....LOL

You must love all things NY
whose No3? Cagney or Lacey?