Can you forgive Audley? Yes, you can!

[oliverfennell]

Yes, it's another Audley thread!

I have written the following for BoxRec News. I know there have been a couple of pro-Harrison pieces discussed here already, but this is a slightly different angle - not so much "defending Audley", but rather asking the critics to keep things in perspective...

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2010/can-yo ... es-you-can

[Hagler2002]

No I Can't!!!!!

[Thomson]

There is nothing to forgive

[Camcas]

NO he is a disgrace to boxing

[whiskey]

I wish the man no harm as he is alright -But fook me I will never forgive that effort - it ranks as the worst ever on my list.

Considering everything, his amatuer pedigree, his chat, his size, his southpaw stance and big-bear camp... embarrasing is a word simply not damning enough.

The only way that could be worse, is if he weed himself on the floor.

I'll leave it at that because in essence he is not a bag egg - just a bad challenger. Very very bad.

[Benito]

Good article that, and I agree with the sentiment entirely - there has been a disproportionate response.

I was disappointed by his performance, that's all. The bottom line is he got in the ring and took a beating for our entertainment, so in my book he deserves at least a bit of respect as a man.

If he's not good enough, he's not good enough. That's no reason to hate him in my opinion.

So yes, I forgive him

[TerribleTerry]

How can you hold a grudge against a fighter of Audley's calibre?

Such a lethal combination puncher; a man who's inside work has at times been reminiscent of a prime Riddick Bowe...

[Mimmy]

everyone know what Audley is like so if you go to a show 'expecting' something special its your own fault. audley has been plain and boring since day 1.

I had a great night in Manchester and was not disapointed with the out come the only thing i can say i was upset about was Audley throwing only 1 punch that landed.

You get what you get and if you exect something different then thats up to you and not to complain when it does not happen.

Answering the question, nothing to forgive. If Fraudley fights Herbie Hide I would definatley go see the fight, if Audley gets another world title shot again I might go see it. Besides the nights action there is plenty of entertainment in the city where it happens.

[jamesmcdonnell]

At least Audley had the stones to get up and face the music. He could easily have stayed down, he's not a coward, but he is definitely terrified of letting his hands go. He seems afraid to punch, more so than getting hit. It's most bizzare.

[pdj]

There is nothing to forgive

X2

[SteveDow]

Oliver, I normally really like what you post but I have to say that I found this article sensationalist. I am a lawyer myself and the constant references to the public reaction as treating Audley as if he had raped someone are frankly ridiculous.
The fact is that Audley was paid well over a million pounds to contest a boxing match. A boxing match consists of two men throwing punches at each other until one emerges victorious. Many people, including myself, paid hundreds of pounds to watch a boxing match and saw a guy standing there doing nothing for three rounds before being stopped.
This is the equivilant of a chess player failing to move a piece on the board. He did not do what he was paid to do.

It's all good and well to feel sorry for poor Aud when you see the tears etc but the fact is that Audley Harrison is a complete fraud. He is an embarassment to British boxing and is inexplicably receiving a fortune for being so.

Next week, one of the best, bravest, most entertaining British fighters
of the last 20 years takes part in a bone fide world title fight. Yet Carl Froch won't be getting anywhere near what Fraudley got for that farce next week.

[whiskey]

Why is there a couple of random 5 post newbies on here saying "nothing to forgive" ?

Is that you Aud ?

[dsimpson]

Oliver, I normally really like what you post but I have to say that I found this article sensationalist. I am a lawyer myself and the constant references to the public reaction as treating Audley as if he had raped someone are frankly ridiculous.
The fact is that Audley was paid well over a million pounds to contest a boxing match. A boxing match consists of two men throwing punches at each other until one emerges victorious. Many people, including myself, paid hundreds of pounds to watch a boxing match and saw a guy standing there doing nothing for three rounds before being stopped.
This is the equivilant of a chess player failing to move a piece on the board. He did not do what he was paid to do.

It's all good and well to feel sorry for poor Aud when you see the tears etc but the fact is that Audley Harrison is a complete fraud. He is an embarassment to British boxing and is inexplicably receiving a fortune for being so.

Next week, one of the best, bravest, most entertaining British fighters
of the last 20 years takes part in a bone fide world title fight. Yet Carl Froch won't be getting anywhere near what Fraudley got for that farce next week.

x2

[stujones]

I think there is a big difference between Audley the man and Audley the fighter and I'm not quite sure what are we supposed to forgive Audley for? The comparisons with some of the actions of other fighters you mentioned are not the same IMO, particularly when you mention out of the ring stuff.

Audley has done not much wrong IMO as a man. Seems to do much for Charity anrd stuff - but I don't think he should get any redemption as a fighter - He was on "last chance saloon" well before the title fight. Infact, had many more chances than better boxers.

Johnny Nelson was hounded out of the country as a proffesional for drab world title efforts.... but this was a man who had won domestic honours and looked the business before those fights, and he was young. Was that fair? Brian London - credible effort against Paterson, former British champion in an excellent time for the devision - many people remember him for a pretty shocking display against Ali - it was a monumental effort compared to last week.

[ThereByTheGrace]

The question you lot should be asking is:

"Can You Forgive SKY?!!! No you can't"

Thats what happens when you give let a monopoly run British Boxing - to hell with them.

Harrison was never good enough yes - the beeb are partly to blame for giving him that contract - but sky made more from 8 mins than the beeb ever did and they get away scot free?!

NO CHANCE

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

I don't think 'forgiveness' is apt when talking about Audley. I think we all know Audley is a decent chap if a tad delusional, there is nothing to forgive. I don't want to see him ever again in a boxing ring nor will he ever have my support. If 'forgiveness' means turning my ear towards his arrogant, boastful delusion about his 'destiny' then no - I am not going to 'forgive' him - he should retire. He would be then doing himself and the sport a big favour.

As for comparing him to a rapist - has anyone said Audley should be jailed, executed or castrated? (he fought like he had been though) Because thats the kind of discourse that is bandied about when talking about a rapist. Audley should just go away.

[johnty1888]

What have Audley Harrison and the late Michael Jackson got in common?

They both wore gloves for no obvious reason


(Sighs)

[the truth]

no i cant forgive him, he had the chance to fight for the richest prize in sport, talked alot of smack about destiny then didnt even try!! no chance does he deserve forgiveness , oh and he got nearly 2 million in a time of recession for his so called effort. bottle job

[gasman]

Oliver, I normally really like what you post but I have to say that I found this article sensationalist. I am a lawyer myself and the constant references to the public reaction as treating Audley as if he had raped someone are frankly ridiculous.
The fact is that Audley was paid well over a million pounds to contest a boxing match. A boxing match consists of two men throwing punches at each other until one emerges victorious. Many people, including myself, paid hundreds of pounds to watch a boxing match and saw a guy standing there doing nothing for three rounds before being stopped.
This is the equivilant of a chess player failing to move a piece on the board. He did not do what he was paid to do.

It's all good and well to feel sorry for poor Aud when you see the tears etc but the fact is that Audley Harrison is a complete fraud. He is an embarassment to British boxing and is inexplicably receiving a fortune for being so.

Next week, one of the best, bravest, most entertaining British fighters
of the last 20 years takes part in a bone fide world title fight. Yet Carl Froch won't be getting anywhere near what Fraudley got for that farce next week.

Totally agree with you - word for word.

There is no let up to the amount people that want to defend Audley (the article a few days ago that was claiming that Harrison was mentally gone was the worst) in the aftermath of his gutless world title 'challenge'. He has secured his legacy as an over rated hype job - who consistently let himself down in the pro ranks. He was a disgrace in his time at the BBC and again last Saturday - that will not be forgotten, no matter how many sentimental pieces or apologetic defences are written.

[whicker]

Could Audley, and all the talk about him, please just stop now?

Seeing Prizefighter this evening showed how good boxing can be. Lets focus on that, and events and match ups like it.

Deal?

[Hagler2002]

What have Audley Harrison and the late Michael Jackson got in common?

They both wore gloves for no obvious reason


(Sighs)

Elvis lands on the moon riding Shergar!!!!!

[Hagler2002]

Audley was mentally unwell.

[bruthead]

There is nothing to forgive

X2

Still enjoyed the article, though.

[PaddyBoxing]

We knew that Audley was going to do this. It was so obvious to everyone. He had proven what he was. If you even watch prizefighter you can see him fighting the same way.. hanging back and trying to land a big left hand on the counter. Because it was a 3 round fight and the opponents weren't the best, they were walking onto his shots. If you take a look at the Sprott fight, you him fighting the same way. Then he throws a hail mary punch and gets extremely lucky in the 12th round, after losing most of the previous rounds.

As Jim Watt said, we knew Audley was going to do this.

David Haye and Adam Booth knew this too.

[stujones]

Yes, we are cursing Sky. I actually do not think ALL at Sky are to blame. I think there was a lot of selective editing in the press also - e.g. I think it was the BBC that highlighted that Bruno was tipping Audley. You didn't seem to get much from the pundits who tipped Audley. Yes, they ran a video of Barry tipping Audley, but it is not the same as the big Headline about Bruno's tip.

Jim Watt gave Audley a remote punchers chance. Barry would not have it any other way than to say Haye would outclass Harrison. It was mainly a couple of the pundits at Sky, possibly towing the companies line, and spearheaded by Adam Smith, who seem to give Audley a chance.