BoxRec

I'm not sure how to get the link up on this page, but it's on the home page and i'm sure most have already read it. I thought this an excellently written article by Kevin Roberts and I agree with it 100%.

After saturday's showing by Audley, most of us are going to have a not to kind reaction. After all the hype and expectation, that's just normal. i do feel that some people do take it to the extreme, though. Ultimately Audley's just a man that was a very talented amateur, who won national, commenwealth and world (olympic) titles. Naturally he's going to believe he could win a professional world title. Somewhere along the line in the professional game, whether it was the expectations, the in the ring spotlight or whatever, he lost his way and it happened to unravel on the biggest possible stage. That's very very embarressing and humiliating experience.

This is not the first time that this has happened in the heavyweights after so much expectation, think Tyson-Spinks for e.g. I can not defend his performance, it was absolutely awful, but i'd hate to think that a man will have to carry that burden for the rest of his life. Even though he got a nice payday!

I know what you mean about heavyweights, any weight divison, boxers freezing in big fights.However,with fraudley,he has always been hesitent to dig deep,really deep thru his career.Thats why its unforgiveable.His hesitency,lack of spirit,I dont like to kick any man when hes down.Respect for climbing into any ring at any standard,but that on satday was disgrace.Hes the classic exapmle of a good class amateur,is found wanting in the pros.Yes we knw hes won titles,never held onto them and never ever delivered when it counts.

Ultimately, Audley Harrison will be fine, but he's just going to have to take it on the chin (no pun intended) for the next few weeks until the dust settles.

Fighters like Audley are always going to attract derision because of the size of his gob.

Where he went wrong is that he didn't back up hs boasts with any action; in fact, he was actively terrified whenever he met with any adversity in the ring & that is unforgivable.

No fight fans mind a figter losing a fight, but it is the manner of the defeat that dictates what criticism you get.

Citing Tyson -v- Spinks is not really comparable as Michael Spinks did not have a big mouth & had already proved himself to be all time great fighter before he fought Tyson.

Other fighters with big mouths have lost, ie, Ali -v- Frazier in 1971, but Ali at least lost with some dignity & showed heart, courage & bravery in doing so.

Audley Harrison only has himself to blame & he's just going to have to suck it up & tough it out for a bit, something he seemingly couldn't do in the ring.

The word "unforgiveable" is being thrown around, yet on the very same night we had a guy caught last year trying to have plaster loaded onto his handwraps and not only has he been forgiven, he was rewarded with a title shot, and by the end of the fight has people praising his "bravery".

Should Audley be "forgiven"? Fair question, but a lot of boxers have done a lot of worse things and haven't endured a fraction of the criticism he has. In some (most?) cases their misdeeds are actually rewarded and marketed!

Syntax Error wrote:Ultimately, Audley Harrison will be fine, but he's just going to have to take it on the chin (no pun intended) for the next few weeks until the dust settles.

Fighters like Audley are always going to attract derision because of the size of his gob.

Where he went wrong is that he didn't back up hs boasts with any action; in fact, he was actively terrified whenever he met with any adversity in the ring & that is unforgivable.

No fight fans mind a figter losing a fight, but it is the manner of the defeat that dictates what criticism you get.

Citing Tyson -v- Spinks is not really comparable as Michael Spinks did not have a big mouth & had already proved himself to be all time great fighter before he fought Tyson.

Other fighters with big mouths have lost, ie, Ali -v- Frazier in 1971, but Ali at least lost with some dignity & showed heart, courage & bravery in doing so.

Audley Harrison only has himself to blame & he's just going to have to suck it up & tough it out for a bit, something he seemingly couldn't do in the ring.

x2

When you continually promise to do something then take people's hard earned money and fail to deliver on those promises you are no different to a con man. He sold a bill of goods ie. a 'fight' and he didn't 'fight' (one punch is not a fight). He may as well have said he was going to build a children's playground and taken everybody's money then never produced the builders, materials or the playground. And we are supposed to feel sorry for this individual because he took everyone's money and ran? I just fail to see what the difference is between Audley and someone committing fraud. It is irrelevant how good his intentions were to fight because the world doesn't work on good intentions, it works on action. I think there are too many people giving this guy a break because his heart was in the right place, yet he still walks away with everybody's money.

Ultimately he should never have been in there anyway and I do think it is unfair to level all he guns at him. Greed, exploitation and convenience were all used by Sky and Hayemaker for an easy payday and Audley was just a pawn. IMO there has now been so many casual boxing fans fingers burnt as a result of this fiasco that Hayes so called ppv power that he wields like "Sword of Damocles" over the Klits heads as bargaining power has now been significantly damaged.

Yes, i totally agree saturday nights performance was horrible and extemely poor. There is no defending that. But, as someone stated above, performances like that, where Audley has been reluctant to dig deep and show that inner fight has been a theme throughout his career, although he has shown little spurts here and there, we shouldn't be too surprised. Most didn't expect Audley to last two rounds and the rest just hoped he'd put on a half decent performance. We got the former rather than the latter. He's an olympic champion, so he was always gonna talk himself up. The expectations there. You'll see the same with Degale and Gavin. Except they'll probably be good enough to win world titles and he wasn't.

All i'm saying is that he certainly deserves criticism, but hopefully he doesn't get killed too harshly in the distant future for falling in that manner at the final hurdle. It must be a sickener.

Agree, although I feel that Harrisons performance was terrible but it must be frustrating for him as well as the public as of course he did want to be champion especially after all his self hype. He hasn't ripped the public and more so himself off on purpose. Some people have all the courage in the world and some have none at all, some thrive on nervous some fall to pieces on nerves, its like they say, its how you control your nerves. Harrison has physical ability but no ability to control his nerves, he obviously tries to and wishes he could, he's in the safe zone when its the build up yet as we saw when he is confronted with it his nerves freeze him. This is a big example of how the mind is an important role and how it can effect performances, you cant just have physical ability to reach the top.

MachoMan09 wrote:Regardless of what is being stated by everybody with access to a keyboard, Audley did not freeze; he is not a coward; and he did not underperform. He was, quite simply, well and truly out of his depth. The matchmakers are the people who should be vilified, not Harrison.

In his previous outing, Harrison was getting outclassed by an ageing journeyman until he slung the perfect example of a 'lucky punch'. Prior to that he was slugging it out against novices and never weres in a low-rent three round tournament. Even before that, he has never shown anything like the class or ability required to win the world heavyweight title. Those who have argued to the contrary are clueless/delusional - this probably applies to the man himself too. Of course he's going to get steam-rollered by a top-class, prime heavyweight world champion; of course he's going to be made to look inept. When Nadal or Federer demolish low-ranked opposition in straight-sets and barely concede a point, it is not because the low-ranked player froze, it's because they are comparatively weak.

As to Audley's bombast and the fact he took the fight in the first place. Who in their right mind would turn down a crack at the world heavyweight title and a million quid plus? On accepting the fight, is he then going to look into the lens of the camera and say "you know what, Haye is leagues ahead of me, I'm going to get pummelled"? No. He will do his best to convince himself and everybody else he has the tools to get the job done. He has been trying to convince us all (and himself) that he has what it takes even before he won his gold medal.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Didn't agree with the article, but the writer did as good a job as anyone is going to in defending Harrison.

Oliverfennel, The term "unforgiveable" is being used in two completely different contexts for Harrison and Margarito.

MachoMan09 wrote:Regardless of what is being stated by everybody with access to a keyboard, Audley did not freeze; he is not a coward; and he did not underperform. He was, quite simply, well and truly out of his depth. The matchmakers are the people who should be vilified, not Harrison.

In his previous outing, Harrison was getting outclassed by an ageing journeyman until he slung the perfect example of a 'lucky punch'. Prior to that he was slugging it out against novices and never weres in a low-rent three round tournament. Even before that, he has never shown anything like the class or ability required to win the world heavyweight title. Those who have argued to the contrary are clueless/delusional - this probably applies to the man himself too. Of course he's going to get steam-rollered by a top-class, prime heavyweight world champion; of course he's going to be made to look inept. When Nadal or Federer demolish low-ranked opposition in straight-sets and barely concede a point, it is not because the low-ranked player froze, it's because they are comparatively weak.

As to Audley's bombast and the fact he took the fight in the first place. Who in their right mind would turn down a crack at the world heavyweight title and a million quid plus? On accepting the fight, is he then going to look into the lens of the camera and say "you know what, Haye is leagues ahead of me, I'm going to get pummelled"? No. He will do his best to convince himself and everybody else he has the tools to get the job done. He has been trying to convince us all (and himself) that he has what it takes even before he won his gold medal.

When I say freeze Im not saying he would have beat Harrison if he hadn't, Im saying that he would have at least put up some sort of fight, would have at least thrown more punches. I could have put up more of a fight and thrown more punches and not froze but thats not saying I have the ability to beat him, I still would get smashed but people aren't complaining or feel let down that Harrison lost, its the fact that he did nothing and didn't even try. If he did, yes he still would have lost but its the manner he lost which people are pissed off about, and the manner he lost though indicates that he froze

It's a nice article, and one that does give a balance.

However, one point that must not be forgotten is that Harrisson is not an amateur- he was not doing this for charity, or as a bit of entertainment.

He was paid.

And, we can assume, paid very well indeed.

I've wavered on this. At points I've thought it was a freeze but on balance I agree with Macho, Audley just wasn't equipped for the job. He had a plan, and a decent one, but he wasn't the man to make it work. Certainly, while watching the fight, from the opening bell I was thinking "he wants to take it long, this lack of action suits him". But then when the action started, he couldn't cope. Maybe he was lulled into a false sense of security by Haye's doing sod all for two rounds TOO, which people are tending to ignore. But whatever, when the pace was raised, Audley wasn't at the races.

No-one is a coward who steps into the ring and I don't think Audley froze, and I don't think it was him being out of his depth (a "realisation" or otherwise).

Audley was just being Audley..... very hard for me to define in a words without sounding derogitory - but he is scared of getting hit... thats it. I've seen loads of them in the gym over the years and usually they don't come back, but Audley obviously picka himself up, convinces himself its there - untill he gets back into the ring again.

He was fighting the same against Coleman Barratt FFS. It was embarrising. His "team" have a big part to blame. I would love to see his sparring sessions. Haye's reaction to the "liberties" he was taking, Lennox Lewis' reaction to the "liberties" says it all. Audley is petrified of taking shots and complains when he does.... always always always has done. Go back to his early pro days, Mark Krence fight for example - Audley always makes a gesture when he takes a shot. He just doesn't have the fortitute to take it.

I reckon his camp's sparring sessions, when he is in control, he is bullying the action or it is all about "technique" (still at 39 years of age).

I don't think Audley would fight any different if it was Tyson, Haye, or Scott Belshaw. He just is petrified of getting hit - and it makes my blood boil that someone afraid of getting hit is a millionaire at boxing.

If it wasn't for the yes men throughout his career I'm sure Audley would have stopped. Just like these guys in the gym I mentioned, who look great on the bag, skipping etc. Just shit themselves when they face punches (no matter who from). They probably needed yes men and nice easy sessions to get them back in the gym.

Personally, I didn't mean Audley was out of his depth in any specific department Stu, more as a whole. Physically, technically, he might have been a match for Haye. But physchologically he couldn't cope and when the brain goes, the body follows and it all falls apart.

stujones wrote:No-one is a coward who steps into the ring and I don't think Audley froze, and I don't think it was him being out of his depth (a "realisation" or otherwise).

Audley was just being Audley..... very hard for me to define in a words without sounding derogitory - but he is scared of getting hit... thats it. I've seen loads of them in the gym over the years and usually they don't come back, but Audley obviously picka himself up, convinces himself its there - untill he gets back into the ring again.

He was fighting the same against Coleman Barratt FFS. It was embarrising. His "team" have a big part to blame. I would love to see his sparring sessions. Haye's reaction to the "liberties" he was taking, Lennox Lewis' reaction to the "liberties" says it all. Audley is petrified of taking shots and complains when he does.... always always always has done. Go back to his early pro days, Mark Krence fight for example - Audley always makes a gesture when he takes a shot. He just doesn't have the fortitute to take it.

I reckon his camp's sparring sessions, when he is in control, he is bullying the action or it is all about "technique" (still at 39 years of age).

I don't think Audley would fight any different if it was Tyson, Haye, or Scott Belshaw. He just is petrified of getting hit - and it makes my blood boil that someone afraid of getting hit is a millionaire at boxing.

If it wasn't for the yes men throughout his career I'm sure Audley would have stopped. Just like these guys in the gym I mentioned, who look great on the bag, skipping etc. Just shit themselves when they face punches (no matter who from). They probably needed yes men and nice easy sessions to get them back in the gym.

I concur. It's clear that as an amateur, where he could dominate with his reach and being much older and bigger than his competition suited him. There was little danger of taking a big shot, and he could win without ever actually being in a fight.

Glyn Leach wrote:Personally, I didn't mean Audley was out of his depth in any specific department Stu, more as a whole. Physically, technically, he might have been a match for Haye. But physchologically he couldn't cope and when the brain goes, the body follows and it all falls apart.

True, my main point though is that I don't think it was the occasion, the skills of his opponent or the reputation of his opponent. What you says happens to Audley in pretty much every fight. The guy is afraid of taking a shot, no boxer likes it.... but Audley has always have to make such a big deal about it no matter the level of opponent or the hardness of the punch. Its not just every fight, but it is practically every punch he takes. If the fighter is out of range, Audley will poke a funny face or make some gesture.

If Haye would have given him the chance, he would have done the same - but Haye stayed in range. I think Audley has the same flaws and potentially had the same consequences in all of his fights - just Haye, like Martin Rogan!!!, exploited them.

Agreed Stu. I don't think his 'stage fright', 'over-cautious nature', or whatever we might term it, would have been any more or less at the MEN than that he would have experienced in Prizefighter, it's just the way he is.

MachoMan09 wrote:

stujones wrote:...I don't think it was him being out of his depth (a "realisation" or otherwise).

Of course he was out of his depth. When has Audley ever a) been in the ring with anybody approaching Haye's ability; b) demonstrated the potential of being able to perform at that level and c) looked anything other than heistant and over-cautions? In the words of Ian Paisley, Never, never, never.

Sorry, what I meant was I don't think Audley ever felt he was out of his depth. At any point of the build up.

I don't think Audley had an "oh shit, what have I got myself into" moment at all. It wasn't Haye per se that caused him to fight how he did. The threat of someone punching him is enough for him to run and blink - Coleman Barratt or David Haye . Some people have cited the weigh in as the moment he stopped believing - I don't buy that. If Coleman Barratt didn't gas he would have beaten Audley.

His yes men make him believe he can do it.... nice sparring makes him confident. Untill someone is there even offering to punch back.

Now, one fighter who I thought had an "oh shit what I have got myself into" moment was Danny Williams when he fought Samil Sam from the first round. Something I am still at a loss to fathom why. Occasion got to him against Francis in fight 1, and he had some shockingly bad performances in his time, but that was the time I thought he was actually scared of the opponent.

I love this site, you get some really informed and insightful conversations on here, like this one. Thanks fellas.

(Just thought I'd share that with you, but I don't want any man-huggy moments, so let's forget I said anything and move on.)

Glyn Leach wrote:I love this site, you get some really informed and insightful conversations on here, like this one. Thanks fellas.

(Just thought I'd share that with you, but I don't want any man-huggy moments, so let's forget I said anything and move on.)

Where's princess when you need the heteronormativity of this site reaffirmed?

I'd prefer a man hug! Couch frightens me!

Let`s call it for what it is. Big Aud was terrified in there.

Credit to him for putting himself into a position where he could earn a million quid for that performance, but as a fan of boxing, I cannot see him as anything but a failure in the ring.

He seems like an alright bloke, but that`s not the point here.

Just in case people dont know (realise how up my own arse this sounds) but I am the aforementioned Kevin Roberts who wrote the article.

Shameless plug over - thanks for the feedback everyone and I'm glad it got people talking!



Kevin

Don't think anyone's saying he's not been a failure as a pro, that would be a hard argument to support, although European titles aren't negligible prizes. But I don't think he was any more 'terrified' in there than he has been in any other fight. The event, Haye, had nothing to do with it. Audley's problems are the same ones they have always been. It's just the way he is. All that happened on Saturday was that his flaws were exposed, again, on a bigger stage and against a higher standard of fighter, resulting in a more dramatic loss.

And nice one Kevin, thanks.