Audley Harrison with summfink to say
Posted: 03 Oct 2003, 04:53
Thursday 2nd October 2003. Audley speaks night before Harrison v Diaz
Yo fight fans
Although I am fighting tomorrow, I took some time to update you before the show down. As you all discovered today my opponent is now a hard punching Argentinean, Lisandro Diaz, with a record that reads (7-4-1, 5KOs). He is much tougher than my originally opponent Tommy Connelly, who failed his eye test and had to pull out. This was disappointing but being able to secure Diaz, who is much more of a tricky customer made it better.
I have received a lot of good wishes from England and I’ve met a number of fans from Britain who will be here on the night in support. The main question surrounds my being based in the US. Basically, over the last couple of months, being over here has allowed me to intensify my training, and having both Kenny and Thell close at hand has meant I am able to focus more on the fundamentals. Sparring is working the way it should, getting me looking smoother in the ring and working on my ring control. I’m in great shape having continued my training since Miami. I’m confident that Diaz is going to feel the A-Force and I will be victorious tomorrow night. The Beeb will be showing the bout on Saturday night so make sure you catch it.
This is one of the busiest and best weekends in boxing, in Las Vegas, with two back-to-back shows. The main fight of the weekend will be the Holyfield v Toney bout. I have met both these great fighters before and was able to get the experienced boxers’ views on the sport.
Furthermore, on Wednesday, sitting at the head table at the press conference, alongside both greats and other fighters like Diego Corrales, Joel Casamayor and Jameel McCline, I can see the advantage of having a presence in America. I have already gained a tremendous amount of recognition at the highest level and it’s a pleasure to be part of this great weekend of boxing.
American promoter Dan Goossen publicly referred to me as the “future face of heavyweight boxing.” Now we are talking. That’s what makes me wonder about the haters back home who cannot see that people like Dan Goossen, complimenting me, shows that my plan for world domination is on track. It’s a shame no other British heavyweights are willing to leave the “nest” and make a reputation for themselves over here. They are just not ambitious enough. I had promoters coming up to me and asking why I was the only British heavyweight out here. I can only assume these guys, who are busy calling me out, are only willing to fight at home and might not be as serious as they appear to be, simply because as they haven’t come to the States to really compete.
On the ‘Night of The Young Heavyweights’ show in Buffalo, there was Juan Carlos Gomez from Cuba, Sinan Samil Sam from Turkey and Duncan Dokiwari from Africa. These guys realise the importance of appearing on American national television as a tool to propel their professional careers forward.
If I was not here no one would even think about heavyweight British prospects and that’s a shame because so much is happening that should be paid attention to. In order to have that happen, British fighters have to come to America and establish themselves. Then, when we fight at home, the international press, particularly the American media, will follow us and care what happens. The only way to be taken seriously in boxing is to be here and be around the other top prospects in the sport.
Lennox has already done his part and now I’m the only one over here representing Britain and British heavyweight boxing. Truthfully, heavyweight boxing in Britain is so off the radar in America, apart from Lennox, no one cares about our results. That’s why it doesn’t make sense to me why someone like Danny Williams, for example, would bother to spend five years of his career at home if he was really serious about advancing his name and presence as a prospect in the heavyweight division, let alone go for a major championship.
I know both Danny and Herbie are both eager to fight me, but they are like piranhas waiting for me to get into the swimming pool. I’m not going to be rushed. I’m taking my time and doing things my way. Actually, when I am ready to fight THEM, then, we will fight. They’ve been talking about fighting each other for long enough, they should just get on with it and it would be a good match. I heard that Hide wanted to box Ratko Draskovic for his fight this Saturday, but quite rightly the board turned him down as an opponent. It’s crazy. He needs to be going forward not back. I boxed and beat Draskovic back in March of this year and now Herbie wants to have a go.
Keeping busy is what it’s all about. Phase one of my training is over and I am stepping up in opposition. Part of the plan is to fight every month for the rest of the year and expect to be back boxing in the UK in the New Year with the British Title on the agenda.
Roll on the A-Force train; I am the driver with a great team behind me, on track to the heavyweight championship. Consider Diaz a stop en-route with the A-Force in great shape and geared to be victorious.
Catch the fight on Saturday night on the BBC.
Peace
A
Yo fight fans
Although I am fighting tomorrow, I took some time to update you before the show down. As you all discovered today my opponent is now a hard punching Argentinean, Lisandro Diaz, with a record that reads (7-4-1, 5KOs). He is much tougher than my originally opponent Tommy Connelly, who failed his eye test and had to pull out. This was disappointing but being able to secure Diaz, who is much more of a tricky customer made it better.
I have received a lot of good wishes from England and I’ve met a number of fans from Britain who will be here on the night in support. The main question surrounds my being based in the US. Basically, over the last couple of months, being over here has allowed me to intensify my training, and having both Kenny and Thell close at hand has meant I am able to focus more on the fundamentals. Sparring is working the way it should, getting me looking smoother in the ring and working on my ring control. I’m in great shape having continued my training since Miami. I’m confident that Diaz is going to feel the A-Force and I will be victorious tomorrow night. The Beeb will be showing the bout on Saturday night so make sure you catch it.
This is one of the busiest and best weekends in boxing, in Las Vegas, with two back-to-back shows. The main fight of the weekend will be the Holyfield v Toney bout. I have met both these great fighters before and was able to get the experienced boxers’ views on the sport.
Furthermore, on Wednesday, sitting at the head table at the press conference, alongside both greats and other fighters like Diego Corrales, Joel Casamayor and Jameel McCline, I can see the advantage of having a presence in America. I have already gained a tremendous amount of recognition at the highest level and it’s a pleasure to be part of this great weekend of boxing.
American promoter Dan Goossen publicly referred to me as the “future face of heavyweight boxing.” Now we are talking. That’s what makes me wonder about the haters back home who cannot see that people like Dan Goossen, complimenting me, shows that my plan for world domination is on track. It’s a shame no other British heavyweights are willing to leave the “nest” and make a reputation for themselves over here. They are just not ambitious enough. I had promoters coming up to me and asking why I was the only British heavyweight out here. I can only assume these guys, who are busy calling me out, are only willing to fight at home and might not be as serious as they appear to be, simply because as they haven’t come to the States to really compete.
On the ‘Night of The Young Heavyweights’ show in Buffalo, there was Juan Carlos Gomez from Cuba, Sinan Samil Sam from Turkey and Duncan Dokiwari from Africa. These guys realise the importance of appearing on American national television as a tool to propel their professional careers forward.
If I was not here no one would even think about heavyweight British prospects and that’s a shame because so much is happening that should be paid attention to. In order to have that happen, British fighters have to come to America and establish themselves. Then, when we fight at home, the international press, particularly the American media, will follow us and care what happens. The only way to be taken seriously in boxing is to be here and be around the other top prospects in the sport.
Lennox has already done his part and now I’m the only one over here representing Britain and British heavyweight boxing. Truthfully, heavyweight boxing in Britain is so off the radar in America, apart from Lennox, no one cares about our results. That’s why it doesn’t make sense to me why someone like Danny Williams, for example, would bother to spend five years of his career at home if he was really serious about advancing his name and presence as a prospect in the heavyweight division, let alone go for a major championship.
I know both Danny and Herbie are both eager to fight me, but they are like piranhas waiting for me to get into the swimming pool. I’m not going to be rushed. I’m taking my time and doing things my way. Actually, when I am ready to fight THEM, then, we will fight. They’ve been talking about fighting each other for long enough, they should just get on with it and it would be a good match. I heard that Hide wanted to box Ratko Draskovic for his fight this Saturday, but quite rightly the board turned him down as an opponent. It’s crazy. He needs to be going forward not back. I boxed and beat Draskovic back in March of this year and now Herbie wants to have a go.
Keeping busy is what it’s all about. Phase one of my training is over and I am stepping up in opposition. Part of the plan is to fight every month for the rest of the year and expect to be back boxing in the UK in the New Year with the British Title on the agenda.
Roll on the A-Force train; I am the driver with a great team behind me, on track to the heavyweight championship. Consider Diaz a stop en-route with the A-Force in great shape and geared to be victorious.
Catch the fight on Saturday night on the BBC.
Peace
A