Spoiler - Audley Harrison v Michael Sprott

[Manc_Red]

People who've slagged Audley off can't have it both ways. He showed heart to stay in there and it was a remarkable turnaround.

Plus, great interview too.

I honestly think that Sprott's last round rally played into the extremely lucky hands of Harrison's.

Life goes on, if indeed he does get a World-Title bout, I can safely say, without doubt - it will be his last.

[stevieb_8006]

Audleys always gonna frustrate, but he was clearly injured. Fair play to him for gutting it out. What a KO! Just glad sprotts ok, when his head bounced off the ropes i got a little worried.

Also, his chin held up tonight. But that pawed jab, SO frustrating.

I thought sprott would win when i found out Audleys trainer couldnt be there.

My big complaint is skys awful commentating. they pick a fighter and thats it, he can do no wrong. They only talk about what hes doing all night. On the few occasions Audley did something, it got overlooked by Sky.

[JamesH]

im a medical guy, his shoulder was not nor had it been dislocated. he was happily cradling the european belt after the fight with his right arm, not the actions of a man with a bad shoulder injury, badly injured shoulders, dislocated or not, need support in a sling or hang limply. seems to me like audley was winding up his excuses for when he gets beat. he never has a right hand anyway, all he has is a straight left, so even if it was injured, it would not make much difference to him !!

I'm no medic but something was wrong with his shoulder, I dont know what, but something. Watch the first round again, he dominated popping out shots effectively with both arms. The was a time actually late 1st where he held Sprott and Sprotts head seemed to drive up into Audleys right armpit... it looked accidental, awkward, and Audleys fault in a way, but I wondered if thats where the initial damage occured.

I dont take the point about excuses though, if he was of that mind set, he wouldnt have won in the 12th. Instead he would have pulled out, perhaps after dominating the 7th,then he could say he was back in control of the fight... If he was of that mind set, I dont think he'd have thrown all those consecutive lefts, why bother leaving the left side of your face open if your chinny and your setting up for a loss? And even if he had thought that, the barrage of lefts would have encouraged him to start again with the right if he was able to. Harrison ko'd the most fired-up Sprott I've seen in some time.

In terms of why the corner denied it... this is just a hunch but Audleys into his positive mental thinking, maybe it was a case of not mentioning it, blocking it out, and carrying on? Maybe they know Aud well enough to know dwelling on it too much might make Audley even more nervous than he already was. And as for TV, it wouldnt suprise me if the corner just barked 'yeh he's fine' so they could get on with watching crucial closing rounds for their fighter.

[jameswilson]

That shoulder bull is up there with some of his all time gems, Ian Darke had it confirmed after 8 rounds - that there was nothing wrong with Harrison.

Chap is off his rocker

His corner confirmed there was nothing wrong with it around 7-8 rounds in.

I don't want to not believe a fighter when he says he is injured but then I had a little flashback to AUdley's interview after the Rogan fight where he claimed he thought his jaw got broke early in the fight...he was chatting away after no problem!

Still, give him the benefit of the doubt I say. He did switch to orthodox for a long spell and if that was tactical it was utterly stupid so the shoulder injury makes sense.

Having said all that, that fight should never have been for the Euro strap and people really need to hold back on the talk of world title shots for him. Did Ustinov and Brewster land title shots off the back of beating Sprott? Of course not, and they didn't even need a hail mary punch with 2 minutes left whilst way behind on every scorecard!
Darkey brought up David Haye when the fight ended last night...forget Haye, I could name 20 Heavyweights outside the current belt holders that would beat Harrison.

Cheap title shots are one of my biggest gripes with Boxing and if Audley lands one off the back of that(him fighting for the Euro was as cheap as anything I have seen recently)then he would be the least deserving world title challenger for years and years.

Take on and beat Dimitrenko and then look for a top 10 guy. If Harrison can win that, he might have just about enough credibility as a challenger then.

Yeah it's everyones gripe but he's hardly gonna turn the opportunity down is he, I think Sprott and Harrison were 8 and 9, or 9 and 10 in the EBU ratings before this fight. When Sosnowski relinquished the promoter will have HAD to go from 1 down the ratings and offer the fight to every fighter, that means the guys rated above were either commited to a fight or not interested due to whatever reason (not wanting to travel to the UK for example.) So Id say your gripe should be with the guys rated above Sprott who turned the fight down. And in the interview afterwards he doesn't mention Haye. He only brings Haye up when he gets asked about Haye and when that happens people say 'wahhhhhhh why is he bringing Haye up all the time' hes bringing him up because he's being asked. In the interview he says he wants Dimitrenko next and then onwards and upwards because a win over Dimitrenko (not saying he would win it) would have him in the top 10 by most organisations.

[yiddo14]

I agree.
Darke and those at Sky got me a tad irked I guess with the talk of Haye and world titles etc.

[jameswilson]

I agree.
Darke and those at Sky got me a tad irked I guess with the talk of Haye and world titles etc.

The best was Jim Watt's scoring for Hunter vs Pickering a few years ago.

'Oh Im giving that round to Hunter, Pickering ,landed more but Hunter landed the better quality shots.'
'Oh Im giving that round to Hunter, he landed more shots than Pickering even tho Pickering landed the harder better quality punches.'

[Datsue]

Fark me, looking at some of the delusional bullshit on here this morning it's a terrifying prospect: what some of you lot will sound like if Audley actually wins a meaningful fight against a world class opponent...

I think overhand might just explode telling everyone that Harrison has achieved more than Ali, Foreman, Holyfield & Lewis put together.

[JamesH]

Fark me, looking at some of the delusional bullshit on here this morning it's a terrifying prospect: what some of you lot will sound like if Audley actually wins a meaningful fight against a world class opponent...

I think overhand might just explode telling everyone that Harrison has achieved more than Ali, Foreman, Holyfield & Lewis put together.

Most people who were impressed by the win or happy for him last night have said words to the effect of 'he'll get battered when he steps up'. Last night he beat a good domestic opponent who put in a very good performance.

[jameswilson]

Fark me, looking at some of the delusional bullshit on here this morning it's a terrifying prospect: what some of you lot will sound like if Audley actually wins a meaningful fight against a world class opponent...

I think overhand might just explode telling everyone that Harrison has achieved more than Ali, Foreman, Holyfield & Lewis put together.

Point out the delusional posts where someone says Audley is gonna win a World title etc etc.

[dondada]

im a medical guy, his shoulder was not nor had it been dislocated. he was happily cradling the european belt after the fight with his right arm, not the actions of a man with a bad shoulder injury, badly injured shoulders, dislocated or not, need support in a sling or hang limply. seems to me like audley was winding up his excuses for when he gets beat. he never has a right hand anyway, all he has is a straight left, so even if it was injured, it would not make much difference to him !!

I don't think it was dislocated either. Injured somehow? Absolutely.

So...you think he boxed ten rounds orthodox as a ready made excuse for getting beat? Jesus.

I know you love a conspiracy theory but this is simply embarrassing.

yes it may have been injured, but not badly. so why did the corner say there was nothing wrong??? ...

So it wouldn't get back to Sprott's corner and give him encouragement, I presume.

[dondada]

People who've slagged Audley off can't have it both ways. He showed heart to stay in there and it was a remarkable turnaround.

Plus, great interview too.

I honestly think that Sprott's last round rally played into the extremely lucky hands of Harrison's.

Agreed. I was a bit surprised by Jim Evans' advice. He just needed to run like a thief and he'd have won it clearly enough.

[dondada]

Fark me, looking at some of the delusional bullshit on here this morning it's a terrifying prospect: what some of you lot will sound like if Audley actually wins a meaningful fight against a world class opponent...

I think overhand might just explode telling everyone that Harrison has achieved more than Ali, Foreman, Holyfield & Lewis put together.

Point out the delusional posts where someone says Audley is gonna win a World title etc etc.

I'm surprised at you, Datsue. I can't see anyone saying Audley is great, etc. Even if they are, they are a tiny minority.

But as I've said, people can't have it both ways. First of all he has no heart or bottle and will never do anything. Then he constantly talks shite.

But he shows heart, grits it out, turns it around with a spectacular knockout and is gracious in the post-fight interview.

Still he gets slagged. He can't do right for doing wrong.

[RLewis]

Ed asked Harry Holland in the corner if his hand was OK and Harry said it was.

Firstly, it would hardly be Harry's place, as cut man, to give away any weakness that would then be heard be the other corner, secondly - his hand was OK, his shoulder was bad. Anyone who thinks he did not have a problem with his shoulder must be nuts.

[Rixxy]

Fark me, looking at some of the delusional bullshit on here this morning it's a terrifying prospect: what some of you lot will sound like if Audley actually wins a meaningful fight against a world class opponent...

I think overhand might just explode telling everyone that Harrison has achieved more than Ali, Foreman, Holyfield & Lewis put together.

Point out the delusional posts where someone says Audley is gonna win a World title etc etc.

I'm surprised at you, Datsue. I can't see anyone saying Audley is great, etc. Even if they are, they are a tiny minority.

But as I've said, people can't have it both ways. First of all he has no heart or bottle and will never do anything. Then he constantly talks shite.

But he shows heart, grits it out, turns it around with a spectacular knockout and is gracious in the post-fight interview.

Still he gets slagged. He can't do right for doing wrong.

Well said

[Jesus]

im sorry but some of you are morons! are you telling me audley fought with 1 hand for 10 rounds just to have a ready made excuse for if he loses? you know how stupid that sounds? remember audley won the first round and the second round was competitive, why would he all of a sudden stop throwing the right just to have an excuse for losing? and if you watched the fight after each round audley kept looking at his shoulder, i didnt even notice it but my mate pointed it out to me. so come on guys please stop with this nonsence its embarissing.

[ra2006]

im a medical guy, his shoulder was not nor had it been dislocated. he was happily cradling the european belt after the fight with his right arm, not the actions of a man with a bad shoulder injury, badly injured shoulders, dislocated or not, need support in a sling or hang limply. seems to me like audley was winding up his excuses for when he gets beat. he never has a right hand anyway, all he has is a straight left, so even if it was injured, it would not make much difference to him !!

I am an ex Am and not a 'medical guy', and I can tell you with 100% certainty that the shoulder was injured. Look at Audley in the first round and compare this to other rounds. Also note the scars around that right shoulder from an old injury.

Rhino222, what are you??? Doctor/Nurse/Hospital porter. My guess you watch Holby City a lot on TV because you have to be a little naive, and frankly dumb as a 'medical guy' not to pick that one up.

Audley has shown great heart to produce that one from out the bag. He took a few clean shots, and turned it around. Very impressed. As for a World Champion the jury is still out!!

[15829]

audley showed great heart to fight with 1 arm, great ko at the end he desevers alot of respect after last night




yes he can

[hitman_hatton1]

didn't realise the european title was on the line still.

until the programme started last night.

especially after sosnowski fight went west.

i just assumed audley wouldn't get a straight shot given it was a voluntary defence anyway.

f*cking make em up as they go on these organisations.

[U.F.O]

im a medical guy, his shoulder was not nor had it been dislocated. he was happily cradling the european belt after the fight with his right arm, not the actions of a man with a bad shoulder injury, badly injured shoulders, dislocated or not, need support in a sling or hang limply. seems to me like audley was winding up his excuses for when he gets beat. he never has a right hand anyway, all he has is a straight left, so even if it was injured, it would not make much difference to him !!

Well im not a medical guy, but i have had about 20 shoulder dislocations myself and can confirm it is very very possible for you shoulder to pop out then back in again very very quickly, but as all the muscle and ligaments are stretched and damged when it dislocates, it makes it very very painfull and almost immpossible to use even thoe its back in it's correct place,
Also it very very prone to happening again especially by throwing punches, thats why in hospital they put it in a sling to heal for a few weeks to stop you moving it around.

Holding a belt with it would be no problem at all if the shoulder was back in place and they dont hang limply unless they are still out of place.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

I think he has shown balls to get back in with a man who not only beat him but knocked him clean out for over 10 minutes. Then you have the dislocated shoulder which seems to be genuine and if he did have a genuine hand injury then the result is amazing. It gets tiresome to hear the knokcers but no matter what Harrison does from now on he will have the critics. Some of it is Harrisons own fault it has to be said but now he is a EBU champion and a top 10 contender for the WBC belt at least.

I don't see anything in Dimintrenko for Audley to fear. Bakhtov deserves a shot in my opinion and would be made to order for Audley.

I like Sprott, good fighter, nice guy and a man who has paid his dues. If he had won last night I wouldn't have been too upset. Glad to see the Audley bandwagon keep on rolling even if it just to piss off some of the patrons on here!

[alexpaterson]

What a shot but couldnt believe it! I thought Sprott had Harrison going that last round then BANG and he's out, I was so annoyed. Very enjoyable fight though

[Terminator666]

What did either of those two do to deserve shot at the Euro title? Good job it was vacant or Harrison would have lost.

[rhino222]

im a medical guy, his shoulder was not nor had it been dislocated. he was happily cradling the european belt after the fight with his right arm, not the actions of a man with a bad shoulder injury, badly injured shoulders, dislocated or not, need support in a sling or hang limply. seems to me like audley was winding up his excuses for when he gets beat. he never has a right hand anyway, all he has is a straight left, so even if it was injured, it would not make much difference to him !!

I am an ex Am and not a 'medical guy', and I can tell you with 100% certainty that the shoulder was injured. Look at Audley in the first round and compare this to other rounds. Also note the scars around that right shoulder from an old injury.

Rhino222, what are you??? Doctor/Nurse/Hospital porter. My guess you watch Holby City a lot on TV because you have to be a little naive, and frankly dumb as a 'medical guy' not to pick that one up.

Audley has shown great heart to produce that one from out the bag. He took a few clean shots, and turned it around. Very impressed. As for a World Champion the jury is still out!!

i have said it was not dislocated.... i did not say it was not injured.

as for my job, i pick up fag butts outside the hospital A&E department, i see lots of patients going in and out !!

and...on a personal note, i refuse to take medical advice from a bloody convict who can row !! ...

[crusader]

I don't see anything in Dimintrenko for Audley to fear. Bakhtov deserves a shot in my opinion and would be made to order for Audley.

Dimitrenko has decent speed for a big man and would have a rare size advantage over Audley. Given that Harrison has lost to Sprott, Rogan, Guinn, and Williams, it seems like Dimitrenko would be a very tough challenge for him. Let's not forget his only loss was to a world class opponent, not a European or British level fighter. And if Audley was as badly injured as he claims, will the injury hinder his future performances?

Bakhtov is actually the perfect opponent for Audley right now. Coming off a good win but fragile and stylistically suited for Audley.

[glahn]

Yeah, if I was Audley I'd go for Bakhtov and then try and angle for a world title shot to cash out. No way does he beat either Klitschko though. It's a shame because he has many of the physical tools to be a big threat to them but has never been able to put it all together.