BoxRec

What does everyone geniunally think of this opponent, personally I'm not sure if this is a step up at all.

He has two good wins on his resume, Corey Sanders (US) and John McDermott. However, as we all commented after the fight, McDermott was well in control before going down and Popov looked distinctly average - his record doesn't suggest one of a puncher either with only a 50% KO record. I am sure John wasn't out when he got put down, just couldn't get up due to the injury he sustained. We all have commented that we believe McDermmot has been protected, so if he was deemed good enough to futher pad Big John's record (of course it went wrong) then surely that's what he is doing for the more polished Harrison.

Popov has beaten another name in Corey Sanders, but unfortanetly at 300+ pounds thats all that he is.

I'm sure I'll be accused of not giving Audley a 2nd chance, but all I am saying is I'm not convinced a guy who turned pro after Harrison is a step up from Hercsia.

I actually thought Big-Mac was KTFO against Popov, not totally sparked as such but I've never really considered it an injury loss. He foolishly went into an exchange and got walloped. End of.

I doubt Harrison will take many punches in this fight but he might be forced into working harder than he wants, which for me is always the real test with a guy who is not a natural fighter.

I believe he's a step up. In December, Harrison was fighting American journeyman Brian Nix in his first scheduled 10-rounder. Now he's fighting an unbeaten fighter with two decent wins on his record. And, let's not forget, Popov chinned McDermott good style. McDermott landed on his ankle and bust it. He claims he could have continued otherwise, but he was getting his arse kicked and - the fact remains - the heavy knockdown caused him to be injured. Fighters whose legs buckle underneath them as they fall are 'gone'. Clifford Etienne just managed to pull his leg from under him when floored by Tyson because he regained his senses before hitting the canvas (as he proved by immediately taking his shield out on the canvas and taking the count). McDermott - and so many others before him - failed to do so.
I once saw a hapless Belgium Rudi Gauwe carried out of the ring with a busted ankle after Frank Bruno injured him in the same manner.
Popov is a good opponent for Harrison and the Bristol fight fans. He's no Rodolfo Marin.

bennie wrote:I believe he's a step up. In December, Harrison was fighting American journeyman Brian Nix in his first scheduled 10-rounder. Now he's fighting an unbeaten fighter with two decent wins on his record. And, let's not forget, Popov chinned McDermott good style. McDermott landed on his ankle and bust it. He claims he could have continued otherwise, but he was getting his arse kicked and - the fact remains - the heavy knockdown caused him to be injured. Fighters whose legs buckle underneath them as they fall are 'gone'. Clifford Etienne just managed to pull his leg from under him when floored by Tyson because he regained his senses before hitting the canvas (as he proved by immediately taking his shield out on the canvas and taking the count). McDermott - and so many others before him - failed to do so.
I once saw a hapless Belgium Rudi Gauwe carried out of the ring with a busted ankle after Frank Bruno injured him in the same manner.
Popov is a good opponent for Harrison and the Bristol fight fans. He's no Rodolfo Marin.

Tokenbo Olaijide has largely been forgiven his KO loss due to shattered ankle, with it being written off as a freak accident, but he definitly wouldnt have bust his leg if he hadn't been chinned, same goes for McDermott.

I remember Rodolfo Marin getting fed to a young Riddick Bowe on the undercard of a Tyson fight, he was way out of his depth with the talented Brooklyn fighter.

I think people are willing to give Olajide a break because he possesses speed, excellent footwork and a monstrous left hook.

Big-Mac McDermott possesses a Dairylea snack-pack belly and not a whole lot else.

This whole thing about ankle injuries as an excuse is abit over the top unless it really is as a result of an unintentional slip.

What next... I couldn't continue because of a jaw injury.... that just happened to find its way onto the end of my opponent's fist.

Bennie - I agree with your points, but didn't you think Popov look slow and ponderous before he landed on Big John. From what I can remember it was a shock when Popov landed, cause it didn't look likely.

I'm not discounting the win, but in someways (from what I can remember) it was like a lower level Wladimir vs Sanders.

yes i thought john wasnt far of stopping him. i remember the bloddy face

stujones wrote:Bennie - I agree with your points, but didn't you think Popov look slow and ponderous before he landed on Big John. From what I can remember it was a shock when Popov landed, cause it didn't look likely.

I'm not discounting the win, but in someways (from what I can remember) it was like a lower level Wladimir vs Sanders.

I wasn't at ringside (where you get a truer feel of a fight), but from TV I remember thinking: who is this guy actually standing up and fighting back? McDermott had fought so many stiffs, he was a breath of fresh air. I also seem to remember Popov tagging McDermott several times before the big punch that finished it. But the memory can play tricks...

I don't think it's a step back because he has yet to take a step forward How do i come up with them

It seems truly bizarre (and a little sad) that people believe a win over Dough Boy McDermott is notable.

When can we expect Audley in with even a tarnished name?

Michael Grant
Ray Mercer
Clifford Etienne
Jeremy Williams

Hard to tell, looks to me to be about the same level as Hersisia.

Kudos to Popov for taking the fight, it seems a lot of good guys turned it down.

As for McDermott he is overrated, never was going to amount to much and never will.

Here is a US take on Popov and Harrison, quite interesting.

saw Popov fight on Showtime vs McDermitt. McDermitt has a flabby body, but he is deceptively athletic. He was boxing beautifully, Landing power shots and combinations until Popov nailed him with a left hook. The shot put McDermitt down, and he broke his ankle. I'm not sure if MCDermitt would have survived the round or not. You never know with heavies.

Anyway, Popov is a big guy. Popov, 24 is roughly 6'4 245 pounds. He showed a tough chin, poise under fire, a high guard and some power. On the downside he's inexperienced, and not well schooled on offense or defense. Not slow, but far from fast. Not the type of guy that's going to win rounds by boxing.

Popov has beaten better fighters than Harrison, but he' still raw. Why his management is risking him so soon is a mystery to me? They must think Harrison is a fraud.

What makes this fight interesting is the questions surrounding Harrison. I didn't see his early bouts, but I hear Audley was short on stamina in 6 round fights. I also hear he was stung by relatively light hitters.

I have seen Harrison twice on ESPN. He's got world class tools, but still freezes up on defense when the other guy fires back. IMO, he has dedicated himself to boxing.

If Popov is as tough as advertised, he might be able to survive a few rounds and test Harrison's chin and stamina. If not, I expect Harrison to dominate the action, and score a mid to late round TKO, or easy decision.

Harrison losing would be bad for boxing. He is one of 3-4 top rated prospects. If Popov pulls off an upset, where does he go from here? He's too green for a title fight, and can't take a step back after taking out a top raked prospect. Its rare to see two undefeated young heavies going at each other. I hope the fight is on the level.

Thanks for posting, Stu. Some decent points raised.

I've watched every Audley Harrison fight, and I think he has done some good things and some bad things. I think some people seem to want to dislike him for no good reason so whoever he fights they disregard. This is not to say that every think Audley has ever done has been correct or exceptionally done, but at the same time it was his early fights.

I like reports that try to point out flaws but also what he is doing right, that Audley but also to be more neutral.

[quote="The Original Hurricane"]I've watched every Audley Harrison fight, and I think he has done some good things and some bad things. I think some people seem to want to dislike him for no good reason so whoever he fights they disregard. This is not to say that every think Audley has ever done has been correct or exceptionally done, but at the same time it was his early fights.

I like reports that try to point out flaws but also what he is doing right, that Audley but also to be more neutral.[/quote


be interesting to see if the Aud "knockers" have the same opinion in due course.
He is coming along at a stready rate and Popov is a slight step up IMO from hersisia, Aud needs a few fights before mixing it in contender status.
Having said that he needs to stop these 5 month periods of inactivity its too long.

Tht's an interesting post Stu, it's always nice to hear what the Yanks think of our boys (barring Nasty of course), joking mate 8)