What did you think of Audley IN THE BEGINNING

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 11 Oct 2007, 14:09

silkov wrote:I still have my doubts about Haye also, though he does seem to have learned from the Thompson defeat, but I'm still not sure about his chin and stamina... as for his '12 rounder' that was just a joke and its a worry if he thinks that going 12 in that 'fight' was a true test of his stamina....

The Fraggomeni (sp) fight answered that for me as that was 9 hard rounds and he picked up the pase to finnish.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 11 Oct 2007, 14:42

josh fg wrote:
silkov wrote:I still have my doubts about Haye also, though he does seem to have learned from the Thompson defeat, but I'm still not sure about his chin and stamina... as for his '12 rounder' that was just a joke and its a worry if he thinks that going 12 in that 'fight' was a true test of his stamina....
The Fraggomeni (sp) fight answered that for me as that was 9 hard rounds and he picked up the pase to finnish.

But Frag was hardly world class was he?.... and look at the state Haye was in at the end.... also I must say that I was rather nonplussed at Frags sudden crumbling and his corners willingness to end the fight despite Haye being winded and badly cut??

m1kee50 · Post by **m1kee50** » 11 Oct 2007, 14:45

Terry D wrote:I was excited. He looked well fit and it was great to have his number on my phone. The body hes got, lets just say it wasnt long before I was a fan.

There were times he looked an actual fighter, on those warm summer nights when dreams drifted in through the window. Lack of arsehole, Lack of arsehole, lack of arsehole and lack of arsehole told in the end though. He never did call me back.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 11 Oct 2007, 15:28

Really I'd have some respect for him if he just called it a day now, or if he goes in against Sprott... but if he comes back against a diet of fat Cruisers then I dont see anyone buying it this time, I doubt they'd even sell tickets... his only option is a rematch against Sprott and if he wins that maybe a rematch with Williams.... wins in those fights would give him a semblance of a career back, but he's never going to do anything beyond domestic level now.....

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Oct 2007, 15:31

Yep, very hard to see where he goes from here. He's lost whatever following he had with that loss to Sprott, he would need very impressive win against a top level domestic fighter like Skelton (I know, top level, sad isn't it?), to stand any chance.

His comebacks against the bottom feeders of the heavyweight division aren't going to cause even a ripple in the murky waters of even this doldrum afflicted heavyweight ocean.

Williams may be tempted out of his dotage to give him one last go, and if he gets in reasonable shape, I can see him doing Audley up like a kipper. The Williams that spanked Gammer I am sure would do Audley in.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 11 Oct 2007, 15:37

Whats happened to Williams?.... I've the awful feeling that he's going to come back at 260+ when he finally does... a long layoff like he's had is unlikely to have kept him in trim unless he's been dieting down to feather!....

:(

Matt W · Post by **Matt W** » 11 Oct 2007, 15:54

I was excited about how his career would develop and thought he had every chance of becoming champion in a dire division.

Within a few fights my opinion had changed. I figured he didn't have huge power nor great stamina, and that he would need one to compensate for the lack of the other. He talked about Derek McCafferty as if he had been in with King Kong. I started thinking European level at best.

I then questioned his confidence in himself - if he was all he said he was he should have been a champion years ago as the competition was poor.

Then came Danny Williams and my questions were answered...

Overall a HUGE disappointment but it's hard to feel too sorry for him (although I do find the vitriol aimed at him distasteful). As has been said many times before some fighters, Audley included, feel they have made it before they have ever proved themselves as a pro. To be honest that is my concern about Khan. I just hope he realises how much he has yet to learn and keeps his feet on the ground.

I interviewed Ricky Hatton not long ago and he made the point of how important it was to not rest on his laurels. I think that 'potential saviours' of boxing, such as Khan and Harrison a few years ago (and Panchito Bojado, Ricardo Williams...), have to be be really careful not do this, especially given the media hype.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 11 Oct 2007, 17:59

I think the vitriol aimed at Harrison is due to his arrogant attitude outside the ring and his blatant lack of heart inside it.... not being good enough is not a crime in itself but if youre saying things like 'undisputed by 2008' then you have to back it up or else take the inevitable flak....

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 12 Oct 2007, 07:14

I liked Audley right from the start and I still do, he ain't scared to do things abit different. RESPECT

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 12 Oct 2007, 07:17

I thought he was ponderous with a big punch and an even bigger mouth....

m1kee50 · Post by **m1kee50** » 12 Oct 2007, 08:21

Chambers2 wrote:I liked Audley right from the start and I still do, he ain't scared to do things abit different. RESPECT

Like fall over and implode?

n1ebf · Post by **n1ebf** » 12 Oct 2007, 09:07

I just bought into all the usual crap like most people i suppose, that the gold medal would naturally lead to the world title, especially in this era.

is that not one of the things that makes boxing interesting to follow? the progress of up and coming "stars" ?

I think the key when speaking about Audley's underachievement is that he's British. For obvious reasons. Namely, we rarely get world champs so anyone that can string 2 knockouts together (especially if big, black and muscley) is potentially a world champ to us.

If AH had come through the ranks in America (would he have got that far in America??) would any of this fuss have been made - no. Therefore would he have been seen as a failure/disappointment - no.

And you're right, shouting your mouth off doesn't help, he's deserves the flak to be honest, perhaps the ridicule. Whether Audley ever really believed his own hype or just used it to make as much money is possible is a mystery. If he was just mouthing off to raise his bank balance then there can be no doubt that he has ripped of British fight fans big time.

m1kee50 · Post by **m1kee50** » 12 Oct 2007, 09:09

NorthEastBoxingFan wrote:I just bought into all the usual crap like most people i suppose, that the gold medal would naturally lead to the world title, especially in this era.

is that not one of the things that makes boxing interesting to follow? the progress of up and coming "stars" ?

I think the key when speaking about Audley's underachievement is that he's British. For obvious reasons. Namely, we rarely get world champs so anyone that can string 2 knockouts together (especially if big, black and muscley) is potentially a world champ to us.

If AH had come through the ranks in America (would he have got that far in America??) would any of this fuss have been made - no. Therefore would he have been seen as a failure/disappointment - no.

And you're right, shouting your mouth off doesn't help, he's deserves the flak to be honest, perhaps the ridicule. Whether Audley ever really believed his own hype or just used it to make as much money is possible is a mystery. If he was just mouthing off to raise his bank balance then there can be no doubt that he has ripped of British fight fans big time.

I think its got worse with the advent of Khan, an Olympian who is a genuine chance of a title.

n1ebf · Post by **n1ebf** » 12 Oct 2007, 09:52

Khan's a good fighter... i think people are making a little bit much of his flaws. Like I say, we're in Britain, if you start doing well for yourself someone will very soon want to knock you down to size.
His speed is matched by few and there is definite power and he has shown he can come back from a shot. I fancy his chances...he should be looking to get the british title in his next 2 or 3 fights, then go from there if successful.
All this win a world title by 21 nonsense is just pointless...far better to win one at 22 23 or 24 and be ready for it than be found wanting in guile,experience etc.....in the 11th round against a world class operator.

but anyway i digress.....

Matt W · Post by **Matt W** » 12 Oct 2007, 10:30

NorthEastBoxingFan wrote: If AH had come through the ranks in America (would he have got that far in America??) would any of this fuss have been made - no. Therefore would he have been seen as a failure/disappointment - no.

I would beg to differ here. Given the state of heavyweight boxing in the US over the past few years I think they would have creamed themselves over a super-heavyweight Olympic Champ and he would have been involved in a huge bidding war for his signature.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 12 Oct 2007, 11:04

I thought Audley would have enough to be hand-held through to a world title of some description. Didn't think it would be pretty, didn't think he would blaze a trail exactly to the titles or anything like that but I thought with some clever match-making they would get him to 20-0 and a shot against someone who either couldn't walk straight or weighed 13st, or both.

He quite simply didn't have the tools.

I don't think the big contract at the outset helped any, being financially secure will certainly take the edge away from a fighter....

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 12 Oct 2007, 11:20

AT first I was excited. I liked the thought of boxing being back on the BBC. I thought he might make it all the way.
(How naive can you be?)
But it soon turned sour - the poor quality opponents, the self proclamations of greatness, the long lay-offs between fights etc.
Finally when he got wobbled by Krence I thought 'he's not good enough'.

It was more a gradual erosion of enthusiasm. And now, as you say, who cares about him anymore?

el_grande_mauro_mina · Post by **el_grande_mauro_mina** » 12 Oct 2007, 12:42

First time I remember AH was him writing into boxing news and articles (one was asking for help for his final thesis) about him, he was obviously a favourite of the ABA selection commitee and would go to all these tournaments allover Europe, I remember all he excuses he made when he lost - one I remember is against Sinan Samil Sam. I thought to myself 'bloody nora, why is this guy always in BN making excuses'

I stayed up to watch him in the olympics - not only was he amongst a tough field but Audley had a tough route to the final, and he won with aplomb - absolutley no doubt about it.

I was chuffed to bits about it, that we had a British fighter who had all the physical tools but evidently none of the mental ones. (or so it seems) My dad compares him to Joe Bugner and I agree with the assesment.

In hindsight, Audley has a bad attitude, lazy, arrogant, narcisstic, has delusions of granduer but he also been sinned as well as been sinner. I rememeber a letter in BN once calling him 'obese' which is ridiculous! I felt that a lot of people hated him because a lot of us love to hate success or as the Aussies call it 'the tall poppy syndrome' I'm as guilty when I hate Wayne Rooney or John Terry and the hype that surrounds our footballers - I understand it but I have never had that feeling for a boxer - even one as progressively delusional as Harrison.

Harrison is a good boxer, is a southpaw, is slick, I personally don't see the slow handspeed, for a man his size he is pretty quick, he isn't a one punch KO artist but you don't need to be in boxing if you have the attributes Harrison has got.

So my first thoughts were one of being a big fan - or a big enough fan to getup at 4 in the morning to watch his fights during the olympics.

n1ebf · Post by **n1ebf** » 12 Oct 2007, 13:39

Matt W wrote:
NorthEastBoxingFan wrote: If AH had come through the ranks in America (would he have got that far in America??) would any of this fuss have been made - no. Therefore would he have been seen as a failure/disappointment - no.

I would beg to differ here. Given the state of heavyweight boxing in the US over the past few years I think they would have creamed themselves over a super-heavyweight Olympic Champ and he would have been involved in a huge bidding war for his signature.

yeah you're right of course. i realised straight away what i had put.....if he was capable of winning the gold medal then one would assume he would have been good enough for the US team, had that been his nationality. Good spot.

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 13 Oct 2007, 12:34

silkov wrote:Whats happened to Williams?.... I've the awful feeling that he's going to come back at 260+ when he finally does... a long layoff like he's had is unlikely to have kept him in trim unless he's been dieting down to feather!.... :(

I saw him the other day eating a horse between two breadvans

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 13 Oct 2007, 12:58

I was excited by him & I had high hopes for him.

I think there was a bit of romanticism going on, but I wanted the perfect scenario; Harrison taking up the mantle as HW champ, right after the main man (Mr Lewis) hung up his gloves in circa 2003.

I really wanted Audley to be the next big thing, but I began to grow weary of him, when I saw the snails pace that his career was progressing at, all the supposed injuries he was picking & the poor quality of opposition he was fighting & not looking that impressive doing so.

I didn't mind the fact that he had a big gob, just as long as he backed up his boasts.

Alas, we all know he failed miserably & when he committed the second ultimate sin in boxing (spinelessness) against Williams in 2005, he enraged me to the point of no return with him.

What a sad way for his career to pan out.

It's all the more sad when you consider how poor the HW division has been during his era.

Even I (a man of 12 stones who has never put on a pair of boxing gloves in my life) could be HW champ now!!!!!

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 13 Oct 2007, 13:17

I never did like Harrisons cautious style - Arms down and diving back - Skelton comming forward was far more exciting to watch and although he wasnt all that skillful he fought with heart - Matt wanted to fight Audley, but Audley preferred to beat up journeymen/no hopers in the States rather than a tough domestic challenge from Skelton - Had they met then I would have had no difficulty picking Skelton as the winner - I was quite upset when they were supposed to fight and Matt had to pull out with a hand injury after alledgedly punching someone who was bothering his wife - I think my real doubts about Harrison came when he fought Francis - No I can honestly say I didnt feel Harrison was that good but I did think big Matt would do much better than he has - I cant see Harrison ever making it at the top level because he hasnt even proven himself as the best domestic - If it was possible to mix Skelton and Harrison into one you would have one hell of a fighter who could win a title or even titles.

whiskey · Post by **whiskey** » 13 Oct 2007, 18:48

When i read that the BBC had dropped the amateur world championship and all the pro's like Carl Froch, David Walker and the class of 2002 - and instead pumped their entire boxing kitty into Audley for £1m i was shocked and suprised.

The BBC were trying to cover talent from an embryonic stage and showed the first 12 fights of Froch and David Walker etc... from their amateur success which they also covered..

Then Audley killed the sport dead in the water with his god damn awful showings and that was that for boxing + BBC.

Cheers Audley

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 14 Oct 2007, 01:54

G0mez wrote:When i read that the BBC had dropped the amateur world championship and all the pro's like Carl Froch, David Walker and the class of 2002 - and instead pumped their entire boxing kitty into Audley for £1m i was shocked and suprised.

The BBC were trying to cover talent from an embryonic stage and showed the first 12 fights of Froch and David Walker etc... from their amateur success which they also covered..

Then Audley killed the sport dead in the water with his god damn awful showings and that was that for boxing + BBC.

Cheers Audley

I never thought of it that way, but you are right.

The sad thing is, he may have also hastened the demise of boxing on ITV, as the bigger fights seem to be going to Setanta these days. :(

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 14 Oct 2007, 09:23

Syntax Error wrote:
G0mez wrote:When i read that the BBC had dropped the amateur world championship and all the pro's like Carl Froch, David Walker and the class of 2002 - and instead pumped their entire boxing kitty into Audley for £1m i was shocked and suprised.

The BBC were trying to cover talent from an embryonic stage and showed the first 12 fights of Froch and David Walker etc... from their amateur success which they also covered..

Then Audley killed the sport dead in the water with his god damn awful showings and that was that for boxing + BBC.

Cheers Audley
I never thought of it that way, but you are right.

The sad thing is, he may have also hastened the demise of boxing on ITV, as the bigger fights seem to be going to Setanta these days. :(

I think you are both right, Harrison plus a certain promoter have been responsible for boxing being dropped by the BBC and cut back by ITV - We have to hope now Khan doesnt get a thrashing, because if he does his fights will be dropped by ITV like the preverbial hot potato.