Can Audley win a world title?

Heartbreak_Kid79 · Post by **Heartbreak_Kid79** » 12 Dec 2006, 04:55

Audley is not the world beater he claimed to be, but considering the talent pool in the heavyweight division is the weakest it has been for a very long time, you never know.
OK williams is probably the only scalp of note he has taken, a B grade fighter who doesn't seem to take training seriously, though some still say Audley has the skill to get further, he just needs to apply himself.
Another couple of wins against decent opposition and you nver know, he may even get a title shot.

How would he fare against the current champs?

vs IBF Klitschko? I have to say Wlad wins it, probably by KO
vs WBA Valuev? Audley to lose on points
vs WBC Maskeav? I think Audley may have a chance here
vs WBO Briggs? I think Audley could beat Briggs

vargas · Post by **vargas** » 12 Dec 2006, 05:20

He has prove he is the best in Britain and beat Skelton before he can think about World titles. I would also look to get another fight with Guinn, because if he beats him in style it would add weight to his claims that he was out of sorts last year. Of the current champions I think he could beat them all bar Klitschko, although there are still massive doubts over Wlad's chin so you never know.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 12 Dec 2006, 05:33

Wlad has a lot of scar tissue and marks up and cuts up very easily, in numerous fights. Audley could spear him.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 12 Dec 2006, 05:43

I'll reserve judgement until he's really tested against Skelton. The fight against Skelton is the sink or swim point of Harrison's career. If there really is a lack of fight in him, Skelton will undoubtedly show us. If Harrison fights, and wins, then why not a shot at one of the weaker champions. They're awful.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » 12 Dec 2006, 06:25

The question is how will Audley react when hes gettin hit, i say he reacts badly when gettin hit of Klit, Briggs. Not sure about the other 2, but you just dont know until they fight imo.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2006, 06:26

He needs a world class apprenticeship before we can talk about this. Needs a good five or six fights. Some just to test out new moves, others to actually beat good contenders.

Heartbreak_Kid79 · Post by **Heartbreak_Kid79** » 12 Dec 2006, 08:02

viciousmaussa wrote:He needs a world class apprenticeship before we can talk about this. Needs a good five or six fights. Some just to test out new moves, others to actually beat good contenders.

5 or 6 fights? !At his rate he'd be pushing 40 by then!
Probably even retire before!

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 12 Dec 2006, 09:27

Heartbreak_Kid79 wrote:
viciousmaussa wrote:He needs a world class apprenticeship before we can talk about this. Needs a good five or six fights. Some just to test out new moves, others to actually beat good contenders.

5 or 6 fights? !At his rate he'd be pushing 40 by then!
Probably even retire before!

Well, Audley knows plenty about taking it steady.

I was thinking of 3 fights a year

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 12 Dec 2006, 10:14

He needs a world class apprenticeship

Did Shannon Briggs?

I think if his heart is there then yes.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Dec 2006, 10:39

He has the tools to do it, although so does Skelton and a fit (I know it will never happen) Williams.

Shannon Briggs has a poor workrate, poor skills (now), and not the greatest chins (alongside a poor defence).

Oleg Maskaev has a poor chin and is getting old (could go at any time).

Wlad Klitchsko has a poor chin, but much more power and much better skills.

Nickolai Valuev appears to have no major weakness (cannot believe I am typing this) but isn't particularly strong in any department.

I would be dissapointed if Harrison or Skelton couldn't beat Briggs. I think Skelton could KO him and Harrison run for a 12 round decision. Think Maskaev would beat Harrison but lose to Skelton.

Think the other two would beat both Brits handily.

So while I think the Brits could win a world title, there are guys lurking in the wings - Toney, Kransiqi, Rahman, Brewster, Lyakovich etc who I would favour over the Brits.

Harrison needs to consolate his ranking in the UK first, there is a massive arguement for it too be Skelton, Sprott, Harrison currently.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Dec 2006, 10:48

Maskaev can bang though, could Audley take a heavy shot from Maskaev, I have my doubts. No big punching heavyweight has landed a flush shot on Audley yet, Danny's balance and timing is gone, and he didn't land anything significant anyway.

There are loads of heavyweights out there who can test Audley. Can you imagine him in there with James Toney?

It may be that he is going to go on to prove himself, but at this stage there are too many unknowns given the quality of his opposition the other night.

I also don't think Skelton would beat Briggs, he's too sloppy and Briggs hits hard enough, even if not often to stop Skelton wading in.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 12 Dec 2006, 11:19

jamesmcdonnell wrote: There are loads of heavyweights out there who can test Audley. Can you imagine him in there with James Toney?

In there with a 40 year old who has not had a fight in months and is over weight and about two stone lighter and a half a foot shorter!!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Dec 2006, 11:24

josh fg wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote: There are loads of heavyweights out there who can test Audley. Can you imagine him in there with James Toney?
In there with a 40 year old who has not had a fight in months and is over weight and about two stone lighter and a half a foot shorter!!

James got shafted in the summer, vs Samuel Peter. I think James with give Aud or Matt a boxing lesson.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Dec 2006, 11:30

josh fg wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote: There are loads of heavyweights out there who can test Audley. Can you imagine him in there with James Toney?
In there with a 40 year old who has not had a fight in months and is over weight and about two stone lighter and a half a foot shorter!!

Toney is easily a top 10 heavyweight, he beat Ruiz hands down, drew with Rahman when he arguably should have gotten the decicion, and was as Stu said screwed against Sam Peter, he's better than anyone Audley beat to date by some way. I'd back Toney to give Audley a boxing lesson and a kicking at the same time.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Dec 2006, 11:50

Best thing for Harrison would be either to fight Skelton, for the British fans.
Or have a rematch with Guinn and show that he has got the heart and desire back to beat the guys who have beaten him.

As for the Champions, To beat Valuev then Harrison will need a stronger Jab, as i think his movement is good enough to out move Valuev but you've got to have good strong punches as well.

Klitschko, would start a heavy favourite, i've been a big critic of Wlad, but he has proved me wrong in his last couple of fights, and he showed good heart and still has a big punch.

Maskeav, I still rate him as the weakest champion, Harrison has underrated skills on the inside, and his uppercut would be a big weapon in this fight. If Audley gets it all together , he can beat Maskeav.

Briggs would be dangerous for 5 rounds, then Audley can take over, after watching his last fight it looked as if Briggs was knackered , but the Russian didn't throw enough at him to make it count.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Dec 2006, 11:54

It's worth bearing in mind, that Danny Williams has ALWAYS been easy to hurt. Keith Long and Sprott wobbled him in fights, Samil Sam had him all over the place. He has a big heart, but he's always been easy to hurt, so it's easy to overemphasise Audley's punch power based on that performance. Christ, Danny was hurt with the first meaningful punch Audley landed, and was wobbled by Klitchsko's jab and pretty much every subsequent punch that landed flush.

Very dangerous to assume Audley's punches would have the same effect on other heavyweights.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Dec 2006, 12:01

I'd agree that Audley isn't a huge puncher, but he doesn't have to be to beat Valuev, out boxing him is the key. Larry Donald showed that, and i'd put Audleys skill on level par with him, plus being a southpaw is an advantage as well.

The one thing we need to see, is if Audley can do produce the goods for 2 fights running, not just last Saturday.
I've been a fan of Audley since the start, but was just as disapointed when he failed to show against Williams and Guinn.

Will be interesting to see who's his next opponent. I don't think it will be Skelton.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Dec 2006, 12:06

jamesmcdonnell wrote:It's worth bearing in mind, that Danny Williams has ALWAYS been easy to hurt. Keith Long and Sprott wobbled him in fights, Samil Sam had him all over the place. He has a big heart, but he's always been easy to hurt, so it's easy to overemphasise Audley's punch power based on that performance. Christ, Danny was hurt with the first meaningful punch Audley landed, and was wobbled by Klitchsko's jab and pretty much every subsequent punch that landed flush.

Very dangerous to assume Audley's punches would have the same effect on other heavyweights.

Bob Mivrovic also hurt Danny, and Mike Tyson had him at sea with the pre-injury uppercut.

Although I was on the fence (and I'm not trying to slag off Audley and be a smart arse) but I did think if Danny wasn't in condition he would get KO'd. Audley hurt him pretty bad in fight 1, and a lack of training DOES effect your punch resistance.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Dec 2006, 12:21

topper123 wrote:I'd agree that Audley isn't a huge puncher, but he doesn't have to be to beat Valuev, out boxing him is the key. Larry Donald showed that, and i'd put Audleys skill on level par with him, plus being a southpaw is an advantage as well.

The one thing we need to see, is if Audley can do produce the goods for 2 fights running, not just last Saturday.
I've been a fan of Audley since the start, but was just as disapointed when he failed to show against Williams and Guinn.

Will be interesting to see who's his next opponent. I don't think it will be Skelton.

Larry Donald is a very good defensive fighter with very good reflexes and movement, he has the right style to give a slow footed monster like Valuev trouble. Audley is nowhere near as quick around the ring.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Dec 2006, 16:18

Yes Donald is a good mover, seems strange he's not been in the ring since the Valuv fight.
But also i'd say Audley moves well around a ring, he's quickly in and out of range (a bit too out of range in some fights).
What i'm saying is he has the tools to beat Valuev, but its one thing having the tools, you've got to use them correctly. If Audley did use everything he's got, then he can win a championship.

JC · Post by JC » 12 Dec 2006, 16:29

Audley's key weapon seems to be the uppercut though, can't see him landing too many on Valuev.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Dec 2006, 16:44

The jab is the key to beat Valuev, land it and move, seems alot of boxers just go and try and blast him out, that ain't going to happen. You have to box the guy.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 12 Dec 2006, 16:49

Flip Audley V Valuev would be a snails pace 10 punches a round type of affair. The Beast would negate anything Harrison has to offer with his size and strength and win a UD.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Dec 2006, 16:55

Well i'm not going to win any of you over

Audley has the skills to beat Valuev, you'll all be eating humble pie in a few months.

Taki... · Post by **Taki...** » 12 Dec 2006, 17:12

Audley could beat all the 'champs' except Wlad, but he could also (and this is somewhat more likely) get seriously KTFO too.
Maskaev is everyone at HW's best shot at winning a title, followed by Briggs... trouble is (for Audley) both carry some heavy fire power.