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Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 23 Jul 2020, 08:57
by Fray Bentos
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 23 Jul 2020, 12:51
by Onamastus
He's done very well in life given where he came from. He obviously has a lot of agency. And I think all reasonable, thinking British boxing fans will appreciate what he did behind the scenes for the amateurs, which in turn helped develop a slew of interesting fighters.
However, I'll always hold his pro career against him. He did everything wrong. Picking the worst opponents, retarding his development, killing a possible boxing resurgence on the BBC and squandering his talent. Worst of all, he didn't go for it when gifted an undeserving world title fight.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 23 Jul 2020, 15:09
by dookus
Onamastus wrote: ↑23 Jul 2020, 12:51
He's done very well in life given where he came from. He obviously has a lot of agency. And I think all reasonable, thinking British boxing fans will appreciate what he did behind the scenes for the amateurs, which in turn helped develop a slew of interesting fighters.
However, I'll always hold his pro career against him. He did everything wrong. Picking the worst opponents, retarding his development, killing a possible boxing resurgence on the BBC and squandering his talent. Worst of all, he didn't go for it when gifted an undeserving world title fight.
Classic example of trying to do wayyyyyyyy too much himself. Even Haye, who also went down the "free agent" route, had Booth and a few others to count on. Audley tried to do it all himself and paid dearly. (With his chin and age, though, I think it was always going to be harder than normal, and normal is absolutely brutal.)
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 23 Jul 2020, 17:34
by littlepug
Just don’t think he was cut out for the pro game, his amateur achievements propelled him onto a bigger stage and purses than he probably deserved, that being said and even though he’s considered an underachiever he’s done plenty to be proud of, Olympic gold, Prizefighter winner x2 European champ and world title challenger isn’t to be sniffed at.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 23 Jul 2020, 18:45
by chiggsy
His whinging about racism a few years back really pissed me off.
He was given more opportunities than most and the reason he didn't succeed was because he wasn't good enough.
Had nowt to do with race.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 23 Jul 2020, 22:14
by SticknMove
Exactly the type of considered and well reasoned boxing journalism we need.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 24 Jul 2020, 07:13
by Steveh583
I will always have a soft spot for the big lump. He was a pioneer in many ways. Ok his pro career didn't live up to the hype, but he still had some good nights. If I own a used car showroom, he would certainly be the person I don't want on front of desk! He could sell ice cubes to eskimos
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 24 Jul 2020, 21:47
by SticknMove
Lot of respect for the big man.... was a little bit evident that he was always gonna be too stiff and static to make a real good go at a high level in the pros. Glad he at peace with himself...Olympic Gold medalist is a fantastic achievement.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 24 Jul 2020, 21:50
by margaret thatcher
littlepug wrote: ↑23 Jul 2020, 17:34
Olympic gold, Prizefighter winner x2 European champ and world title challenger isn’t to be sniffed at.
Imagine winning all that and still being told you suck, i guess that's expectations and 'the public life' for you
If I walked into a gym on day 1 and sometime told me those would be my achievements in boxing, i would cream myself instantly
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 25 Jul 2020, 05:08
by ThereByTheGrace
littlepug wrote: ↑23 Jul 2020, 17:34
Just don’t think he was cut out for the pro game, his amateur achievements propelled him onto a bigger stage and purses than he probably deserved, that being said and even though he’s considered an underachiever he’s done plenty to be proud of, Olympic gold, Prizefighter winner x2 European champ and world title challenger isn’t to be sniffed at.
Completely agree. When he went pro lewis was undisputed champ. Think everyone just assumed he would do the same given the olympic gold. Correct me if im wrong but think it had been quite a while since a gold medal in olympics in boxing to that point. That and the bbc contract just set unrealistic expectations. He had a good career
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 25 Jul 2020, 07:32
by cormack
Audley Harrison was the most amazingly gifted natural talent the Uk has ever produced !
But only In his fantasy world
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 25 Jul 2020, 10:12
by dookus
ThereByTheGrace wrote: ↑25 Jul 2020, 05:08
littlepug wrote: ↑23 Jul 2020, 17:34
Just don’t think he was cut out for the pro game, his amateur achievements propelled him onto a bigger stage and purses than he probably deserved, that being said and even though he’s considered an underachiever he’s done plenty to be proud of, Olympic gold, Prizefighter winner x2 European champ and world title challenger isn’t to be sniffed at.
Completely agree. When he went pro lewis was undisputed champ. Think everyone just assumed he would do the same given the olympic gold. Correct me if im wrong but think it had been quite a while since a gold medal in olympics in boxing to that point. That and the bbc contract just set unrealistic expectations. He had a good career
Yep, we'd not had one since 1968 (Finnegan).
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 25 Jul 2020, 13:13
by Onamastus
I'm going to have to push back on the argument Audley had a good career. Yes European champ and world title challenger sounds impressive relative to most pro boxers, but sophistry aside his career was a botch job from beginning to end.
He avoided the sort of tough, handy British and American journeymen who would have tested him and built up his experience and confidence, and instead handpicked the weakest, most hapless and obscure opponents to instead build up a record. The result was he didn't know how to beat men as beatable as Danny Williams and Dominic Guinn, got KOd by Michael Sprott, then lost to a thirty-eight yr old cabbie who hadn't even put on a pair of gloves when he was at the Olympics.
He never appeared to box with any sort of idea or strategy. His main objective was not to get hit. Winning by one-punch KO a distant, distant second. There didn't seem to be anything else in his game.
He gets an improbable world title shot after telling us for ten years he would be champ and matched with a chinny cruiser does nothing and surrenders trembling in three. And things actually managed to get even worse after that.
Boxing Monthly's 'Things Can Only Get Better' cover after his pro debut is probably the most unintentionally hilarious magazine cover ever.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 25 Jul 2020, 14:00
by margaret thatcher
He had some good success for sure, a career most could only dream of, the expectations are what make all the negativity
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 25 Jul 2020, 15:45
by Kilburn
Audley will always have that cracking finish of Lisandro Ezequiel Diaz on his slate. That was a thing of beauty.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 25 Jul 2020, 18:14
by littlepug
Onamastus wrote: ↑25 Jul 2020, 13:13
I'm going to have to push back on the argument Audley had a good career. Yes European champ and world title challenger sounds impressive relative to most pro boxers, but sophistry aside his career was a botch job from beginning to end.
He avoided the sort of tough, handy British and American journeymen who would have tested him and built up his experience and confidence, and instead handpicked the weakest, most hapless and obscure opponents to instead build up a record. The result was he didn't know how to beat men as beatable as Danny Williams and Dominic Guinn, got KOd by Michael Sprott, then lost to a thirty-eight yr old cabbie who hadn't even put on a pair of gloves when he was at the Olympics.
He never appeared to box with any sort of idea or strategy. His main objective was not to get hit. Winning by one-punch KO a distant, distant second. There didn't seem to be anything else in his game.
He gets an improbable world title shot after telling us for ten years he would be champ and matched with a chinny cruiser does nothing and surrenders trembling in three. And things actually managed to get even worse after that.
Boxing Monthly's 'Things Can Only Get Better' cover after his pro debut is probably the most unintentionally hilarious magazine cover ever.
I honestly think he wouldn’t have got as far as he did had he taken on those tougher tests earlier, for all his self promotion and natural skills I just don’t think he was tough enough physically or mentally to be in competitive early fights, suppose we’ll never really know.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 25 Jul 2020, 19:57
by ThereByTheGrace
Onamastus wrote: ↑25 Jul 2020, 13:13
I'm going to have to push back on the argument Audley had a good career. Yes European champ and world title challenger sounds impressive relative to most pro boxers, but sophistry aside his career was a botch job from beginning to end.
He avoided the sort of tough, handy British and American journeymen who would have tested him and built up his experience and confidence, and instead handpicked the weakest, most hapless and obscure opponents to instead build up a record. The result was he didn't know how to beat men as beatable as Danny Williams and Dominic Guinn, got KOd by Michael Sprott, then lost to a thirty-eight yr old cabbie who hadn't even put on a pair of gloves when he was at the Olympics.
He never appeared to box with any sort of idea or strategy. His main objective was not to get hit. Winning by one-punch KO a distant, distant second. There didn't seem to be anything else in his game.
He gets an improbable world title shot after telling us for ten years he would be champ and matched with a chinny cruiser does nothing and surrenders trembling in three. And things actually managed to get even worse after that.
Boxing Monthly's 'Things Can Only Get Better' cover after his pro debut is probably the most unintentionally hilarious magazine cover ever.
Fair enough.
Im thinking the bbc contract paid him whoever the opponent. He was like a modern day epl player just concerned about the pay and not the outcome.
There are 2 sides to it but he didnt live up to the hype but maybe the hype was wrong in the first place.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 25 Jul 2020, 20:41
by dookus
littlepug wrote: ↑25 Jul 2020, 18:14
Onamastus wrote: ↑25 Jul 2020, 13:13
I'm going to have to push back on the argument Audley had a good career. Yes European champ and world title challenger sounds impressive relative to most pro boxers, but sophistry aside his career was a botch job from beginning to end.
He avoided the sort of tough, handy British and American journeymen who would have tested him and built up his experience and confidence, and instead handpicked the weakest, most hapless and obscure opponents to instead build up a record. The result was he didn't know how to beat men as beatable as Danny Williams and Dominic Guinn, got KOd by Michael Sprott, then lost to a thirty-eight yr old cabbie who hadn't even put on a pair of gloves when he was at the Olympics.
He never appeared to box with any sort of idea or strategy. His main objective was not to get hit. Winning by one-punch KO a distant, distant second. There didn't seem to be anything else in his game.
He gets an improbable world title shot after telling us for ten years he would be champ and matched with a chinny cruiser does nothing and surrenders trembling in three. And things actually managed to get even worse after that.
Boxing Monthly's 'Things Can Only Get Better' cover after his pro debut is probably the most unintentionally hilarious magazine cover ever.
I honestly think he wouldn’t have got as far as he did had he taken on those tougher tests earlier, for all his self promotion and natural skills I just don’t think he was tough enough physically or mentally to be in competitive early fights, suppose we’ll never really know.
I agree. He never seemed quite tough enough for the top.
Re: Audley Harrison: Before and After.
Posted: 27 Jul 2020, 13:42
by Muttley
ThereByTheGrace wrote: ↑25 Jul 2020, 05:08
littlepug wrote: ↑23 Jul 2020, 17:34
Just don’t think he was cut out for the pro game, his amateur achievements propelled him onto a bigger stage and purses than he probably deserved, that being said and even though he’s considered an underachiever he’s done plenty to be proud of, Olympic gold, Prizefighter winner x2 European champ and world title challenger isn’t to be sniffed at.
Completely agree. When he went pro lewis was undisputed champ. Think everyone just assumed he would do the same given the olympic gold. Correct me if im wrong but think it had been quite a while since a gold medal in olympics in boxing to that point. That and the bbc contract just set unrealistic expectations. He had a good career
It had been quite a while since anyone won a Gold medal but Audley played the BBC like a well oiled Fiddle in my opinion. Having said that, although the BBC had career building money, there was no way Auntie could compete when it came to bringing over the top heavyweight contenders. They could build the brand but could never execute the finish