Audley Harrison interview
Posted: 02 Jun 2005, 04:12
Below is an interview that was answered by Audley for Boxing Central before it became destroyed. The interviewer questioning Audley is Paul McGee who is a freelance boxing journalist. See below for what Audley had to say.
Q. Audley thanks for taking the time out to talk to me. Firstly can I say how glad I am that you are back next month and that all being well your injuries are behind you. Tell us a little bit about what you’ve been up to while you’ve been sidelined over the past year. How did you manage to stay motivated?
A. Thank you. I am very glad to be back too. It has been an extremely frustrating time for me but knowing that people have wanted to see me back has kept me going and also remaining focussed on reaching my goal of becoming heavyweight champion of the world has kept me motivated. My desire is as strong now, if not stronger, than it has ever been and I just cannot wait to get back into the ring and showcase my skills on FSN’s Best Damn Sports Show Period for the American public on June 9th.
Q. Your original opponent, Billy Zumbrun was a wise comeback opponent for you because his name was put on the map following a close decision loss to Riddick Bowe recently. However Robert Davis undoubtedly represents a stiffer challenge, having lost only 6 of 37 fights, and those against some top names. Are you looking to despatch Davis early for the benefit of your US audience, or would you like to get some rounds in?
A. Davis has a good solid record. He brings experience and ruggedness to the ring and has been involved in fights with some excellent boxers. I am looking forward to facing him but the main thing is to get back into the ring and to show the American public what I can do. Winning is my only objective.
Q. 2005 looks set to be your most exciting year so far in professional boxing, with names like Calvin Brock and Samuel Peter being floated as potential opponents for you. You are hoping to fight on Peter’s undercard in a few months but often, in boxing politics, the undercard fighters end up sharing the ring with the headline act as an opponent pulls out. Any chance you could be facing Peter sooner rather than later?
A. Recently it was confirmed that Peter will headline a Showtime card in July, so let’s see what happens there.
Q. Tell us about Peter’s style as an amateur. Do you think he has carried any of his ring techniques over to the pro game, and are you confident you could beat him again?
A. I beat Peter in Belgium before the Olympics. At Sydney he lost to Vidoz who I beat in the semi-final. I am confident that I could beat him again as I believe that history has a way of repeating itself. When I watch Peter box I see many of the same traits from his amateur game so I will be well prepared should I get the chance to box him, but you have to give him respect; he’s developing into a dangerous puncher with both hands and will definitely be a strong challenge
Q. People are looking for someone to unify the heavyweight division now more than ever before. You have voiced your desire to be in that mix next year. Who of the current four (Ruiz, Brewster, Klitschko and Byrd) do you think will still hold a title by then and would you feel more comfortable fighting any one of them over the others?
A. All four of those boxers have great strengths, but at the same time all of them have weaknesses too. I do not fear anybody and I believe that if skill alone was required I would have a good chance against any of those four now. By next year, with some more fights and experience under my belt, I will have a great chance and on any given day, any of the four can lose.
Q. I gather you spoke to Danny Williams on his return flight from the Klitschko fight. He seems to have quite a bit of respect for you behind all the smack talk façade. Is that mutual and do you agree with Danny that any chance of the two of you ever coming together in the ring has now passed?
A. I respect Danny totally as he is a fighter who has tremendous heart and courage. But you need to have skill and technique to reach the top. With my career move to the States and my return to the ring shortly on US soil, the likelihood of me and Danny are remote, but never say never in this game.
Q. Any thoughts on the Williams/Skelton fight?
A. I think that Danny’s experience will give him the edge but it will be a close fight. It is a good match up but I just think Danny will have enough. Danny has a lot to prove following the Klitschko defeat and I think that will fire him on, but Skelton’s style could cause Danny problem, especially if he starts slow.
Q. After Davis, do you have another opponent lined up yet?
A. I am only thinking of this fight. I just want to get back into the ring and win my fight with Davis. As I said recently, my team are close to closing off a deal that will keep me active, and I would like my next opponent to be at the same level as Jameel McCline who Calvin Brock beat a few weeks back.
Q. People have criticised you for taking your time and picking opponents cautiously. Looking at your record, in only your fifth fight you took on an undefeated in Mark Krence, and just a few bouts down the line from there you fought Rob Calloway, whose record at the time stood at 43-3-1. After that it was Draskovic and Ellis, both of whom had fairly respectable records for opponents of someone in their first 11 or 12 fights. Do you think the criticism you have endured is born more out of frustration, at seeing such strong potential sidelined through injuries, rather than any justified cause for criticism?
A. My fights have been as good as the level that Peter and Brock have fought. My injuries have ruled me out for long periods, but I am only one fight away from the standard that Brock and Peter are at. My opponents have given me some areas of experience that Peter and Brock haven’t had and I believe that I am learning all the time and my opponents have been right for each period in my career.
Q. Your prediction if you don't mind - who wins out of Hatton vs. Tszyu?
A. My head says Tszyu will win. He is the best in his division and will definitely be the toughest fight Hatton has ever had. His experience in big fights will come into the reckoning and I think he could have too much for Hatton over 12 rounds. My heart thinks Ricky will fight like never before, with such intensity and aggression that maybe Tszyu could be broken down in the later rounds, with home advantage, Ricky has a chance.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to say to the fans – those who have stuck by you and those who have been quick to write you off?
A. The fans have been amazing to me, especiall JamesWilson and Chambers respect my brothers. I have had letters of support and well wishes over the last 9 months or so, all hoping to see me back soon. It is their support that has helped me through the frustrating times and I appreciate it very much. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and if people are quick to write me off, then that is their prerogative but I know that I am going to succeed so stay tuned as 2005 and 2006 are going to be huge years for the “A-Force”. So stay locked on to http://www.audleyharrison.com for all the latest information and news from me in what promises to be a really exciting period of my career.
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A Jameel McCline type opponent next on only his 19th fight
, thats quicker progression than Brock and Peter. Gwaan Audley!! 8)
Q. Audley thanks for taking the time out to talk to me. Firstly can I say how glad I am that you are back next month and that all being well your injuries are behind you. Tell us a little bit about what you’ve been up to while you’ve been sidelined over the past year. How did you manage to stay motivated?
A. Thank you. I am very glad to be back too. It has been an extremely frustrating time for me but knowing that people have wanted to see me back has kept me going and also remaining focussed on reaching my goal of becoming heavyweight champion of the world has kept me motivated. My desire is as strong now, if not stronger, than it has ever been and I just cannot wait to get back into the ring and showcase my skills on FSN’s Best Damn Sports Show Period for the American public on June 9th.
Q. Your original opponent, Billy Zumbrun was a wise comeback opponent for you because his name was put on the map following a close decision loss to Riddick Bowe recently. However Robert Davis undoubtedly represents a stiffer challenge, having lost only 6 of 37 fights, and those against some top names. Are you looking to despatch Davis early for the benefit of your US audience, or would you like to get some rounds in?
A. Davis has a good solid record. He brings experience and ruggedness to the ring and has been involved in fights with some excellent boxers. I am looking forward to facing him but the main thing is to get back into the ring and to show the American public what I can do. Winning is my only objective.
Q. 2005 looks set to be your most exciting year so far in professional boxing, with names like Calvin Brock and Samuel Peter being floated as potential opponents for you. You are hoping to fight on Peter’s undercard in a few months but often, in boxing politics, the undercard fighters end up sharing the ring with the headline act as an opponent pulls out. Any chance you could be facing Peter sooner rather than later?
A. Recently it was confirmed that Peter will headline a Showtime card in July, so let’s see what happens there.
Q. Tell us about Peter’s style as an amateur. Do you think he has carried any of his ring techniques over to the pro game, and are you confident you could beat him again?
A. I beat Peter in Belgium before the Olympics. At Sydney he lost to Vidoz who I beat in the semi-final. I am confident that I could beat him again as I believe that history has a way of repeating itself. When I watch Peter box I see many of the same traits from his amateur game so I will be well prepared should I get the chance to box him, but you have to give him respect; he’s developing into a dangerous puncher with both hands and will definitely be a strong challenge
Q. People are looking for someone to unify the heavyweight division now more than ever before. You have voiced your desire to be in that mix next year. Who of the current four (Ruiz, Brewster, Klitschko and Byrd) do you think will still hold a title by then and would you feel more comfortable fighting any one of them over the others?
A. All four of those boxers have great strengths, but at the same time all of them have weaknesses too. I do not fear anybody and I believe that if skill alone was required I would have a good chance against any of those four now. By next year, with some more fights and experience under my belt, I will have a great chance and on any given day, any of the four can lose.
Q. I gather you spoke to Danny Williams on his return flight from the Klitschko fight. He seems to have quite a bit of respect for you behind all the smack talk façade. Is that mutual and do you agree with Danny that any chance of the two of you ever coming together in the ring has now passed?
A. I respect Danny totally as he is a fighter who has tremendous heart and courage. But you need to have skill and technique to reach the top. With my career move to the States and my return to the ring shortly on US soil, the likelihood of me and Danny are remote, but never say never in this game.
Q. Any thoughts on the Williams/Skelton fight?
A. I think that Danny’s experience will give him the edge but it will be a close fight. It is a good match up but I just think Danny will have enough. Danny has a lot to prove following the Klitschko defeat and I think that will fire him on, but Skelton’s style could cause Danny problem, especially if he starts slow.
Q. After Davis, do you have another opponent lined up yet?
A. I am only thinking of this fight. I just want to get back into the ring and win my fight with Davis. As I said recently, my team are close to closing off a deal that will keep me active, and I would like my next opponent to be at the same level as Jameel McCline who Calvin Brock beat a few weeks back.
Q. People have criticised you for taking your time and picking opponents cautiously. Looking at your record, in only your fifth fight you took on an undefeated in Mark Krence, and just a few bouts down the line from there you fought Rob Calloway, whose record at the time stood at 43-3-1. After that it was Draskovic and Ellis, both of whom had fairly respectable records for opponents of someone in their first 11 or 12 fights. Do you think the criticism you have endured is born more out of frustration, at seeing such strong potential sidelined through injuries, rather than any justified cause for criticism?
A. My fights have been as good as the level that Peter and Brock have fought. My injuries have ruled me out for long periods, but I am only one fight away from the standard that Brock and Peter are at. My opponents have given me some areas of experience that Peter and Brock haven’t had and I believe that I am learning all the time and my opponents have been right for each period in my career.
Q. Your prediction if you don't mind - who wins out of Hatton vs. Tszyu?
A. My head says Tszyu will win. He is the best in his division and will definitely be the toughest fight Hatton has ever had. His experience in big fights will come into the reckoning and I think he could have too much for Hatton over 12 rounds. My heart thinks Ricky will fight like never before, with such intensity and aggression that maybe Tszyu could be broken down in the later rounds, with home advantage, Ricky has a chance.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to say to the fans – those who have stuck by you and those who have been quick to write you off?
A. The fans have been amazing to me, especiall JamesWilson and Chambers respect my brothers. I have had letters of support and well wishes over the last 9 months or so, all hoping to see me back soon. It is their support that has helped me through the frustrating times and I appreciate it very much. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and if people are quick to write me off, then that is their prerogative but I know that I am going to succeed so stay tuned as 2005 and 2006 are going to be huge years for the “A-Force”. So stay locked on to http://www.audleyharrison.com for all the latest information and news from me in what promises to be a really exciting period of my career.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Jameel McCline type opponent next on only his 19th fight
, thats quicker progression than Brock and Peter. Gwaan Audley!! 8)