Audley - It's Skelton on Oct 9th or I'm off!

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 27 Jul 2004, 13:40

Big Aud says he has issued Sports Network with an ultimatum:

http://www.britishboxing.net/news.php?s ... rom=&ucat=
&&PHPESSID=faf2d7b1326648dffebbbc12515bd173

Smacks a little bit of desperation and certainly frustration, if nothing else. Frank must be having a chuckle. 8)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 Jul 2004, 13:54

I actually think Sklton needs Audley, as much as Audley needs Skelton at the moment. Apart from him being an arsehole, I can't understand why allegedly would want to dilly dally with this.

I know a lot of people dislike Audley Harrison out there, but surely if you don't like him you don't want him to be able to brag that he was ready and willing to challenge Skelton and Warren pished about, would you?

buzz · Post by **buzz** » 27 Jul 2004, 14:03

All I would say to Harrison is .........'See Ya'

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 27 Jul 2004, 16:08

Frank better make it quick - Oct 9th is the date Showtime want for their next UK show. Let's have Harris/Hatton 2nd Oct, then SN can cash in the following week with their "vital" U.S tv money ( setting some aside for Vicious Viv )

Showtime would love a big UK heavyweight fight starring Big Aud.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 Jul 2004, 16:18

I'd like to congratulate Frank. Nobody has done more to singhandedly destroy the British Heavyweight division. Well done, Frank.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » 27 Jul 2004, 17:06

Interesting, lets get it on..!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 27 Jul 2004, 17:09

Just to satisfy the thread called; Announcement: Attention all moderators - allegedly

I see now reason to suggest that allegedly would fail to deliver this match, being that it is in everyones best interests.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 27 Jul 2004, 17:26

I don't blame Audley for wanting an ultimatum.

It does appear that Frank has been messing him about with dates, and until SN come out and giver their side of the arguement then this is what I believe.

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 27 Jul 2004, 20:16

Well we are hoping to hear Sport's Network side of teh story we have been trying to get in touch with them

beduff · Post by **beduff** » 27 Jul 2004, 21:11

look skelton dont want to fight audley,whats he got to gain:nothing,whats he got to lose:british title,his gravy train,undefeated record,euro ranking,plus lots more.would you?i would not i would be fighting the european champ and getting myself a few quid

audley is different class i just dont know why he dont fornicate off to the states and fight the top guys.or aint he as good as he would like us all to think?self doubt is the worst thing any boxer can have.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 28 Jul 2004, 05:21

beduff wrote:look skelton dont want to fight audley

I would suggest Skelton wants the Audley fight more than any other right now.

beduff wrote:whats he got to gain:nothing,whats he got to lose:british title,his gravy train,undefeated record,euro ranking,plus lots more

I think being the first to take the scalp of an Olympic champion (even one as sickeningly over-hyped as Harrison) is a pretty decent achievement for someone like Skelton.

beduff wrote:i would not i would be fighting the european champ and getting myself a few quid

You can't waste too much time waiting for a Euro shot when your 37yrs of age.

beduff wrote:audley is different class i just dont know why he dont fornicate off to the states and fight the top guys.or aint he as good as he would like us all to think?self doubt is the worst thing any boxer can have.

He's much more skillful for sure but he's not strong enough or busy enough to contain strong, aggressive 18st fighters.

It really is make or break for Audley if this fight with Skelton gets made. If he suffers a legit loss he might as well hang them up.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 28 Jul 2004, 13:36

Definately think it is an important fight for both men.

1) Audley has claimed that his first 17 fights have been about learning, which is fine, and a lot of the people he has fought have had better records some other peoples first 10-12 opponents. Again which is fine. But now, with time ticking away from him, and having looked good against Hersisa and a load of crap against Francis and Bonin he needs to gain a meaningful fight. A shot at British and Commonwealth title would be good, even if the champion isn't exactly world class, as having two meaningful titles would help his cause of getting meaningful fights. If he really does want shots at world titles, real world titles then he needs bargaining power to get these meaningful fights. Especially now that he is off BBC. What harm can the British and Commonwealth titles be? None.

2) He's 37, needs to have big fights quick, or he wont have them at all. With you love Harrison, or hate him you must confess he is the most famous active British Heavyweight out there. Most non-fans have never heard of Danny Williams (unless he beats Tyson, which I don't think he will), Sprott or Herbie Hide. Skelton clashing with Harrison could raise his profile and if he wins, it'll be a meaningful scalp. And is likely to be a big pay day for him.

If you like Audley you are going to want to see him get this shot, if you can't stand him you are going to want this even more. Think about it, for all the people that call him Fraudley what more positive proof can you have to back your claims then Audley getting whacked by Skelton. If he did, I don't think you'd ever see AH again.

I personally think this is an important British Heavyweight match for both men and for the fans. Unfortunately, just based on one man- allegedly- not wanting it, we have to miss out. Again.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 28 Jul 2004, 15:32

Guest wrote:
I personally think this is an important British Heavyweight match for both men and for the fans. Unfortunately, just based on one man- allegedly- not wanting it, we have to miss out. Again.

Hey, don't be so pessimistic (though I do understand why you are).

1. What other (realistic) fight for Skelton would make the boxer and SN as much money? Though I suppose he could somehow be engineered into the world picture, as appalling as things are at the minute.

2. Both fighters seem to want it, which is a massive advantage to it being made.

3. I don't think I'm being too conspiratorial in making a link between Skelton not fighting this weekend meaning that there could be an important fight round the corner.

Aud is obviously a proud man and doesn't want to be messed about hence the ultimatum.

I think the fight will be made.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 28 Jul 2004, 15:50

I hope so. I can certainly understand his frustration over allegedly. allegedly has been the most vocal over how rubbish Audley is, and how all his fighters could eat him for breakfast. Now he seems to be messing about by backing out of this fight when it finally gets round to happening.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 28 Jul 2004, 15:57

Guest wrote:I'd like to congratulate Frank. Nobody has done more to singhandedly destroy the British Heavyweight division. Well done, Frank.

While i'm not Warren's biggest fan i've got to disagree with this statement.

With the exception of Harrison (and Skelton vs Williams, which should have happened), all the top British heavies have fought each other. The matches that could have been made, have been made, and that is mostly down to Frank.

I'm with Mr McNeilly, i think the fight will be made, and i also think that Skelton wins.

NATSUECOW · Post by **NATSUECOW** » 28 Jul 2004, 19:56

it will happen in september i promise ive got a good sorce close to harrison

J · Post by J » 29 Jul 2004, 04:00

Sun says its on for oct 9th...but hey it is the sun

J · Post by J » 29 Jul 2004, 04:01

Sun says its on for oct 9th...but hey it is the sun

J · Post by J » 29 Jul 2004, 04:01

sorry bout the doubel reposte somink messed up with the pc then!
apparently somink official will be announced next week

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 29 Jul 2004, 04:09

glittermonkey wrote:
Guest wrote:I'd like to congratulate Frank. Nobody has done more to singhandedly destroy the British Heavyweight division. Well done, Frank.
While i'm not Warren's biggest fan i've got to disagree with this statement.

With the exception of Harrison (and Skelton vs Williams, which should have happened), all the top British heavies have fought each other. The matches that could have been made, have been made, and that is mostly down to Frank.

I'm with Mr McNeilly, i think the fight will be made, and i also think that Skelton wins.

Harrison v WILLIAMS
WILLIAMS v HIDE
HIDE v FRANCIS
SPROTT v HARRISON
HARRISON V HIDE
LONG V SPROTT
MCDERMOTT V SPROTT
LONG V MCDERMOTT
FRANCIS V MCDERMOTT
HIDE V LONG
KRENCE V SPROTT
LONG V KRENCE
KRENCE V WILLIAMS
SKELTON v LONG
SKELTON v WILLIAMS
SKELTON v HIDE
..shall I keep going. Dont get me wrong these aren't ALL FW fault, but lets not re-invent history and say all the potential heavyweight fights got made? They didn't.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 29 Jul 2004, 06:11

DavidPayne wrote:
glittermonkey wrote:
Guest wrote:I'd like to congratulate Frank. Nobody has done more to singhandedly destroy the British Heavyweight division. Well done, Frank.
While i'm not Warren's biggest fan i've got to disagree with this statement.

With the exception of Harrison (and Skelton vs Williams, which should have happened), all the top British heavies have fought each other. The matches that could have been made, have been made, and that is mostly down to Frank.

I'm with Mr McNeilly, i think the fight will be made, and i also think that Skelton wins.
Harrison v WILLIAMS
WILLIAMS v HIDE
HIDE v FRANCIS
SPROTT v HARRISON
HARRISON V HIDE
LONG V SPROTT
MCDERMOTT V SPROTT
LONG V MCDERMOTT
FRANCIS V MCDERMOTT
HIDE V LONG
KRENCE V SPROTT
LONG V KRENCE
KRENCE V WILLIAMS
SKELTON v LONG
SKELTON v WILLIAMS
SKELTON v HIDE
..shall I keep going. Dont get me wrong these aren't ALL FW fault, but lets not re-invent history and say all the potential heavyweight fights got made? They didn't.

Well, i don't believe Krence or McDermott to be at the top of the tree domestically yet, so i didn't take them into consideration. But i've no doubt that some of the fights you've mentioned involving them will happen at some stage. I also don't consider Long to be a top level fighter in this country so i discounted him too. I said in my previous post "with the exception of Harrison and Skelton/Williams", so that cuts your list to three fights, all involving Hide (who i forgot about

). He seemed to be on the verge of a couple of big domestic fights before his injury, but unfortunately those fights seem further away than ever. Maybe i should have said MOST of the matches have been made.

So looking at the other weight divisions in this country, i think we've had it good recently with the heavies. While Warren should quite rightly recieve critism for some other matters, he should not, IMO, be getting it for ruining the heavyweight division.

J · Post by J » 29 Jul 2004, 06:19

Hides finished mate he wont compete at this level again he just saw his opportuntiy to make a fast buck off the back of Audley turning pro, now that chance has passed so has Herbie's boxing career.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 29 Jul 2004, 06:20

Not sure why Long isn't a credible heavyweight but Skelton has been throughout his career? A glance at Long's record will highlight some notable scalps.

However, if we limit the heavyweight division elite to:

Skelton-Williams-Hide-Sprott-Harrison and I'll give you Francis to help your case.

Thats 15 potential fights.

We've seen 4. Admittedly, we've seen the Williams v Sprott fight 3 times
and Williams v Francis twice.

If you take out Francis. You have ten potential fights, we've seen 2.

Most of the potential match-ups, to me, this doesn't constitute.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 29 Jul 2004, 06:33

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:
Guest wrote:
I personally think this is an important British Heavyweight match for both men and for the fans. Unfortunately, just based on one man- allegedly- not wanting it, we have to miss out. Again.
Hey, don't be so pessimistic (though I do understand why you are).

1. What other (realistic) fight for Skelton would make the boxer and SN as much money? Though I suppose he could somehow be engineered into the world picture, as appalling as things are at the minute.

2. Both fighters seem to want it, which is a massive advantage to it being made.

3. I don't think I'm being too conspiratorial in making a link between Skelton not fighting this weekend meaning that there could be an important fight round the corner.

Aud is obviously a proud man and doesn't want to be messed about hence the ultimatum.

I think the fight will be made.

I think maybe Warren is just having a bit of fun with Audley, or perhaps he has other things on his mind with the Hatton v Harris problems arising.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 29 Jul 2004, 08:38

DavidPayne wrote:Not sure why Long isn't a credible heavyweight but Skelton has been throughout his career? A glance at Long's record will highlight some notable scalps.

However, if we limit the heavyweight division elite to:

Skelton-Williams-Hide-Sprott-Harrison and I'll give you Francis to help your case.

Thats 15 potential fights.

We've seen 4. Admittedly, we've seen the Williams v Sprott fight 3 times
and Williams v Francis twice.

If you take out Francis. You have ten potential fights, we've seen 2.

Most of the potential match-ups, to me, this doesn't constitute.

Spot on with the six names, they're what i consider to be the elite of the division. The problem is that you don't have 15 feasible fights, and there's only been a small period of time to fit all those fights in.

Hide has only recently come back to the domestic scene, and previously he was fighting a much higher standard of opponent than these guys. As i said before, he was on the verge of possible fights with Harrison and Williams before his injury. But i'm of the opinion (like most others) that the big domestic fights have now gone for Hide. That takes it down to 10 fights.

Skelton has only recently come into the British title picture, and has already fought Francis and Sprott. If all parties are to be believed, he'll be fighting Harrison fairly soon. It's a little unreasonable to expect him to fight all the top British level fighters during the one year he's been at this standard. That takes it to 2 (potentially/probably/perhaps 3) out of 10.

Francis, much like Hide, is a spent force. But whilst at (or near) the top, he's been in with Williams, Harrison and Skelton. He missed out on fighting Hide because of the differnce in levels i've discribed above. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in with Sprott, if he doesn't retire. That takes the tally to 4 (maybe 5) out of 10.

Sprott is another man who's just graduated to this standard, and his last three outings have been Williams-Williams-Skelton. At only 28, i'd expect him to have at least one more crack at the British title. 5 (6??) out of 10.

Williams will inevitably find his way back to domestic level, regardless of the result against Tyson. So potential fights with the rest of the top guys will happen. I'm sure of it. I'd go so far as to say that i believe we'll see him face the winner of the Skelton/Harrison match-up.

As for Harrison, if the fight with Skelton happens, then he's at the very least shown a degree of willingness to work with Warren. Which bodes well for potential fights against the other names in the future.

5 from 10 (plus the extra Sprott/Williams fights and the Williams/Francis fight), with the probability of that figure rising to six or higher in the not too distant future, is most of the potential matches, when you consider that Harrison, Sprott and Skelton have only just reached this level. I think that the amount of matches between the top level heavies we've seen over the last year/18 months, is pretty good. Or are you not happy with what's been happening recently at this weight?