William Abelyan - is he all that good?

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 14 Jun 2004, 10:35

Have to admit I've never seen him box but it seems to me he made his name off the Espadas win yonks ago and hasn't done a whole lot since. He'll probably turn out to be about the best Harrison has faced to date but who actually picks him to win?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 14 Jun 2004, 10:40

He'll have to be good to beat Harrison in his Braehead fortress (the Scot has boxed every one of his WBO title fights there). Abelyan is on a winning run of 13 since Victor Polo chinned him in a round in 2000 (Polo is ranked below him by the WBO) - including that good win over Espadas. But he hasn't fought since last June. Can't see him doing it.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 14 Jun 2004, 10:41

He's also not a big hitter, but then neither was Medina.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 14 Jun 2004, 10:44

Abelyan is a southpaw, of course, and Harrison doesn't like southpaws. But the five hard rounds he got in with Colombian southpaw Estrada in March will have helped.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 14 Jun 2004, 10:48

Difference is, Abelyan is unlikely to wilt quite so dramatically, unless he's faded badly through inactivity. Estrada was giving Harrison murders in there.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 14 Jun 2004, 10:51

Oh, for sure. See it being a long fight with Harrison grinding out a late-round win. Is an interesting fight. Frank Maloney versus Gary Shaw has also been interesting in the build-up.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 14 Jun 2004, 11:05

Not really been following it to be honest, has Shaw been giving him a load of shit, he's certainly not averse to showing up english promoters.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 14 Jun 2004, 11:21

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Not really been following it to be honest, has Shaw been giving him a load of shit, he's certainly not averse to showing up english promoters.

Shaw labelled Harrison "limited" and "one-dimensional", so rival manager Maloney called Shaw "a fat, loud-mouthed, uncouth Yank who thinks he owns the world of boxing. He is the worst of the worst."
Of course it's all a spillover from the war of words surrounding the abortive Ricky Hatton-Sharmba Mitchell fight (Mitchell is also promoted by Shaw).

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 14 Jun 2004, 11:23

Yeah, hence my 'not averse comment' at the time I didn't notice it, but with hindsight it was quite evident that allegedly was squirming on the inside.

Chris the fighter · Post by **Chris the fighter** » 14 Jun 2004, 12:07

Maybe the two mangers should duke it out.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 14 Jun 2004, 12:27

I've been think about the Harrison - Abelyan fight today at the office (beats thinking about work!!).

I've never seen Abelyan fight so can only go on what others have said and by looking at his record.

The southpaw Abelyan has some good wins on his record but being out of action for twelve months is not the best preperation for taking on a little jugganaught like Harrison, as others habe already said.

I do believe that Harrison was ill for the first Medina fight and in the rematch I believe we saw the 'real' Harrison. Taking this into account I suspect as others have already stated Abelyans southpaw style will cause Harrison many problems but I see Harrison grinding out a point win or even a stoppage in the last few rounds, Harrison may even be behind on points after 5/6 rounds.

Now another thought on Scott Harrison and it is just me thinking out load here. But Scott Harrison is often accused of being robotic, lacking in variety, reliese on his strength too much, limited etc etc. But so far he usually finds a way to win ok?

Now, the critisism that Scott recieves is almost identicle to the what the critics used to say about Rocky Marciano, I am NOT NOT NOT comparing Harrisons achievement to Marcianos, just making the point that they had some simular atributes and recieved simular complaints about their fighting make up.

What I am trying to say is that although Scott like Rocky doesn't always look impresive in winning, they were still both winning fighters which is what counts in the end.

I hope I've managed to get my somewhat badly wriiten out thought across ok.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 14 Jun 2004, 12:38

Can't believe you're going to sit there and compare Scott Harrison with Rocky Marciano.

8)

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 14 Jun 2004, 12:41

Kilburn wrote:Can't believe you're going to sit there and compare Scott Harrison with Rocky Marciano.

8)

Like I said I'm not comparing their achievements just that they recieved simular critism, but still won, whilst not always looking impressive.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 14 Jun 2004, 12:46

It was a joke, Joe.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 14 Jun 2004, 12:52

Kilburn wrote:It was a joke, Joe.

Sorry mate, it's been a hard day at the office, with custoners moaning at me all day (all say aaarrr poor Joe) feeling a bit fragile.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 14 Jun 2004, 12:55

KOJOE90 wrote:
Kilburn wrote:It was a joke, Joe.
Sorry mate, it's been a hard day at the office, with custoners moaning at me all day (all say aaarrr poor Joe) feeling a bit fragile.

Tell all those students in Loughborough with their daddy's credit cards to piss off to Shepshed.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 14 Jun 2004, 13:04

bennie wrote:
KOJOE90 wrote:
Kilburn wrote:It was a joke, Joe.
Sorry mate, it's been a hard day at the office, with custoners moaning at me all day (all say aaarrr poor Joe) feeling a bit fragile.
Tell all those students in Loughborough with their daddy's credit cards to piss off to Shepshed.

I like to give some of those absolutley gorgeous female Chinese students a very 'hard' time.

(in my dreams)

Eric the Viking · Post by **Eric the Viking** » 14 Jun 2004, 14:11

KOJOE90 wrote:
Kilburn wrote:It was a joke, Joe.
Sorry mate, it's been a hard day at the office, with custoners moaning at me all day (all say aaarrr poor Joe) feeling a bit fragile.

Can't believe you lot are going to sit around, joking about comparing Hrrison to Marciano.

AlexY2K4 · Post by **AlexY2K4** » 14 Jun 2004, 14:30

Abelyan is very good, which is unusal for a WBO contender.

He is an awkward southpaw, very good balanced fighter, and although he isn't a banger by any means, he does have enough power to make a difference of some sort, he can certainly stop someone like Harrison, who while durable, also is a plodding robot with no movement or defence.

Abelyan is very good and is going score a late stoppage against this overrated bum.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 14 Jun 2004, 18:06

I am looking forward to this match immensly, my opinion about Harrison changes like the wind (

I was first a major fan when he beat Patterson, didn't think much of him when looked ordinary vs Johnson and Thornhill. Tipped strongly that Steve Robinson would nail him, Harrison proved me wrong. Was impressed, I tipped him to beat Chacon, but tipped McCullough to beat him. After that victory I thought he was the real deal, up comes the vastly underated (still) Medina to prove me wrong.

So my opinion of him is very up and down, however his last display dissapointed me. I haven't seen Abelyan in action, I don't think he's anything special (I remember Darke calling him a Journeyman when Espedas fought Adams), however he's probably better than Estrada who for me looked booked for victory untill he just folded.

So basically it depends on which Harrison turns up, I just think he'll be the more ready and will grind out a close decision win.

tolstoy · Post by **tolstoy** » 15 Jun 2004, 04:40

stujones wrote:I am looking forward to this match immensly, my opinion about Harrison changes like the wind.

I was first a major fan when he beat Patterson, didn't think much of him when looked ordinary vs Johnson and Thornhill. Tipped strongly that Steve Robinson would nail him, Harrison proved me wrong. Was impressed, I tipped him to beat Chacon, but tipped McCullough to beat him. After that victory I thought he was the real deal, up comes the vastly underated (still) Medina to prove me wrong.

Yes, totally agree with your assessment Stu. Personally, I am a little concerned about this fight. Harrison has blown hot and cold of late. He is still relatively young and has done things the hard way and the weight will ultimately prove his undoing. He must move up within a year or two. Harrison versus Arthur would be a great match up.

Anyone fancy predicting the outcome?

AlexY2K4 · Post by **AlexY2K4** » 15 Jun 2004, 07:48

Abelyan TKO9

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 15 Jun 2004, 13:02

Abelyan looks like he might be a dark horse.
After 2 years as a pro he's an unimpressive 10-4-1, but then wins a couple of cross roads fights to start his unbeaten 13 fight run to the top. That at least shows some character.
He's beaten some decent fighters too, and a few results indicate he might punch harder than his record shows.
I've been thinking Harrison wins late, but I'm not so sure now.....
Has William The Conqueror arrived in Scotland yet?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 15 Jun 2004, 13:05

MightyWarrior wrote:Abelyan looks like he might be a dark horse.
After 2 years as a pro he's an unimpressive 10-4-1, but then wins a couple of cross roads fights to start his unbeaten 13 fight run to the top. That at least shows some character.
He's beaten some decent fighters too, and a few results indicate he might punch harder than his record shows.
I've been thinking Harrison wins late, but I'm not so sure now.....
Has William The Conqueror arrived in Scotland yet?

Yeah, he's here. His camp have been moaning about not getting the verdict if it goes 12 rounds, so they're clearly planning to outbox Harrison.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 15 Jun 2004, 13:28

Like Stu, I also am looking forward to this one, and like Stu I really am undecided about Harrison.

His win over Chacon was a quality performance, and his total hammering of McCullough was most impressive, especillay considering most pundits described it as a 50/50 fight.

The first Medina fight was poor match making imo, and I don't think Harrison has looked good since then.

Abelyan seems to have been moved along nicely, and it could be a tricky night's work for Harrison on Saturday, but he really should be seeing the likes of Abelyan off if he is looking to progress on the world stage.