BoxRec

London (October 5, 2005) – Olympic Gold Medallist and current unbeaten heavyweight contender Audley “A-Force” Harrison (19-0, 14KOs) has today called on the European Boxing Union to consider him for a fight with Paolo Vidoz. Harrison, currently ranked seventh by the EBU feels that he deserves a chance to challenge Vidoz following the Italian’s successful defence of his title against Michael Sprott on October 1st.

“I have heard that following his victory over Sprott, Vidoz will be fighting against Cengiz Koc next,” said Harrison, who beat Vidoz in the 2000 Olympic semi-finals. “I am ranked at number seven by the EBU and Koc is at number 11—below Tomasz Bonin, a fighter that I beat in June 2004. I would like to box against Vidoz as my ranking deserves this chance.”

Hazel Bruno-Gilbert, Business Manager for Audley Harrison continued: “If you look at the fighters ranked above Audley you will see that Audley is the highest ranked fighter available to fight Vidoz and we are asking for the EBU to support us in our request to make this fight happen. Vitali Klitschko is ineligible. Wladimir Klitschko has just fought and is seeking world title opportunities. Luan Krasniqi has just been knocked out by Lamon Brewster and Sinan Samil Sam is the number one ranked contender in the WBC rankings and he wouldn’t jeopardise that for an EBU fight. Nikolay Valouev is lining up a WBA title fight with John Ruiz and Matt Skelton, who is also ineligible, is set to fight Danny Williams on December 3rd 2005.”

In addition to this, there is the element of revenge for Vidoz should he fight Harrison. It was Harrison who ended the Italian’s Olympic dream by defeating him in the semi-final in Sydney where Harrison went on to win Britain’s first boxing gold medal for 32 years.

Harrison continued: “My win against Vidoz in the Olympics was a great contest. We threw punches in high volume and it was an exciting contest that had 10000 fans on their feet. I would love to give Vidoz the chance to avenge that defeat.”


from the great mans official site.

The Sprott fight was a mandatory defense so its another 9(?) months before Vidoz have to face the next mandatory challenger. Should Vidoz beat Koc and Sam or Valuev lose their next look for one of those two to fight Vidoz.

"I would love to give Vidoz the chance to avenge that defeat."



He's all heart isn't he...



What about something along the lines of 'Dear EBU, I know it looks like I've sacked you off but I've noticed I'm still ranked and could have the opportunity of facing a guy I've already beaten for the title. Any chance of you being nice to me on the premise that I'll be nice to you in the future? Alternatively, I'd be happy to get my name in the paper in the same paragraph as the word 'title'.'

Audley-Vidoz is a far more meaningful fight than the proposed Koc-Vidoz fight, how to you get a title shot when you're coming off a loss?? Have the EBU snactioned the fight??

I'm sure the Audley fight would be a far bigger payday and a far better bout in terms of progressing his career than the Koc fight, providing Vidoz still holds world title ambitions

Freiheit, I'm not up on the EBU rules so maybe you can advise me, do the EBU have no say in who Vidoz defends his title against (other than mandatories)?

Audley is definately looking for the BIG fights and to progress his career

Seems like a good fight for both of them, Vidoz will have avenged a defeat and say he has beaten an Olympic champion, there is also obviouse mialege if they can sell it to american Television and Harrison would have a creadable title and a shout at some big fights. If boxing was an honest uncorruptible sport the fight would be made... oh pis

Audley would win this fight, but it wont happen.

Chambers the EBU rules state that a fighter must defend against his mandatory challenger (chosen by the EBU, usually the highest ranked available fighter according to their ratings) within 6months. He did this against Sprott in his last fight and before this release I was under the impression that he HAD to defend against Koc within 90days. But this seems to go against EBU rules, for me it shouldnt be 90days, it should be the 6months. Voluntary defences can be against anyone rated by the EBU and can be done anytime between mandatory defences.

In a perfect world Vidoz has a voluntary defence against Audley in late November/early December.

jameswilson wrote:Chambers the EBU rules state that a fighter must defend against his mandatory challenger (chosen by the EBU, usually the highest ranked available fighter according to their ratings) within 6months. He did this against Sprott in his last fight and before this release I was under the impression that he HAD to defend against Koc within 90days. But this seems to go against EBU rules, for me it shouldnt be 90days, it should be the 6months. Voluntary defences can be against anyone rated by the EBU and can be done anytime between mandatory defences.

In a perfect world Vidoz has a voluntary defence against Audley in late November/early December.

Cheers JW

Thats a shame because if Vidoz has the choice of fighting Koc or Audley he is obviously going to choose Koc, unless money can tempt him

Chambers2 wrote:

jameswilson wrote:Chambers the EBU rules state that a fighter must defend against his mandatory challenger (chosen by the EBU, usually the highest ranked available fighter according to their ratings) within 6months. He did this against Sprott in his last fight and before this release I was under the impression that he HAD to defend against Koc within 90days. But this seems to go against EBU rules, for me it shouldnt be 90days, it should be the 6months. Voluntary defences can be against anyone rated by the EBU and can be done anytime between mandatory defences.

In a perfect world Vidoz has a voluntary defence against Audley in late November/early December.

Cheers JW

Thats a shame because if Vidoz has the choice of fighting Koc or Audley he is obviously going to choose Koc, unless money can tempt him

If I was Audley I would put a lot of money up for this fight, because being European title means others cant say 'Audley who.'

No wonder he wants the overweight lump.

jameswilson wrote:

Chambers2 wrote:

jameswilson wrote:Chambers the EBU rules state that a fighter must defend against his mandatory challenger (chosen by the EBU, usually the highest ranked available fighter according to their ratings) within 6months. He did this against Sprott in his last fight and before this release I was under the impression that he HAD to defend against Koc within 90days. But this seems to go against EBU rules, for me it shouldnt be 90days, it should be the 6months. Voluntary defences can be against anyone rated by the EBU and can be done anytime between mandatory defences.

In a perfect world Vidoz has a voluntary defence against Audley in late November/early December.

Cheers JW

Thats a shame because if Vidoz has the choice of fighting Koc or Audley he is obviously going to choose Koc, unless money can tempt him

If I was Audley I would put a lot of money up for this fight, because being European title means others cant say 'Audley who.'

I agree James

Am I right in saying that the European title holder automatically gets a top ten ranking with the WBC??

See, Vidoz now have a promotion agreement with Sauerland for the next two or 3 fights so other than mandatory defenses its Sauerland who deceides who Vidoz fights, and of course he will choose one of his own fighters as the next defense as long as they are rated by EBU and not ineligable.

Freiheit wrote:See, Vidoz now have a promotion agreement with Sauerland for the next two or 3 fights so other than mandatory defenses its Sauerland who deceides who Vidoz fights, and of course he will choose one of his own fighters as the next defense as long as they are rated by EBU and not ineligable.

Cheers

Chambers2 wrote:

jameswilson wrote:

Chambers2 wrote: Cheers JW

Thats a shame because if Vidoz has the choice of fighting Koc or Audley he is obviously going to choose Koc, unless money can tempt him

If I was Audley I would put a lot of money up for this fight, because being European title means others cant say 'Audley who.'

I agree James

Am I right in saying that the European title holder automatically gets a top ten ranking with the WBC??

Top 15 chambers, but with Vidoz and Aud being top15 (I think anyway) I would imagine the winner would be top10.

Either way you are clearly a chap who knows his stuff.

jameswilson wrote:

Chambers2 wrote:

jameswilson wrote: If I was Audley I would put a lot of money up for this fight, because being European title means others cant say 'Audley who.'

I agree James

Am I right in saying that the European title holder automatically gets a top ten ranking with the WBC??

Top 15 chambers, but with Vidoz and Aud being top15 (I think anyway) I would imagine the winner would be top10.

Either way you are clearly a chap who knows his stuff.

Thank you very much James, you are obviously of the same ilk.............shall we get a room?

Christ alone knows what you 2 will be like when Audley actually does fight someone.

states wrote:Christ alone knows what you 2 will be like when Audley actually does fight someone.

If there is a god or any kind of justice in this World then one of these punkass heavies will take on Audley

Chambers2 wrote:

states wrote:Christ alone knows what you 2 will be like when Audley actually does fight someone.

If there is a god or any kind of justice in this World then one of these punkass heavies will take on Audley

Amen to that brother.

If there is a god or any kind of justice in this World will Harrison just fight rather than talk.

nickd wrote:If there is a god or any kind of justice in this World will Harrison just fight rather than talk.

Amen to that brother.

Joe Calzaghe called out Steve Collins, Roy Jones, Bernard Hopkins, William Joppy, Clinton Woods and serveral others... How many of these has he fought?

Im an Audley fan, but at this rate i can see him retiring undeafeated and never a fighting a noteworthy fighter.

Hope im wrong.

I think secondsout made a good point that audley should stop calling people out in the press and start getting into contract negotiations with them. It would be good if ITV offered to put some money on a one fight basis for a contest of this ilk.

Freiheit wrote:See, Vidoz now have a promotion agreement with Sauerland for the next two or 3 fights so other than mandatory defenses its Sauerland who deceides who Vidoz fights, and of course he will choose one of his own fighters as the next defense as long as they are rated by EBU and not ineligable.

Freiheit or Bubi - any ideas on what's happened to Hoffman? It was mentioned he may retire after losing to Vidoz but I'm sure Sauerland would see some worth in a rematch if, as it seems, he has the EBU title tied up for the moment.

Whole thing makes me shudder though. As Chambers says, EBU letting Koc fight Vidoz next is an absolute joke. Technically, it's just about legal, but otherwise, it's an absolute farce.

Audrey-Vidoz would be good if it happens. He's obviously had no joy in getting any decent American fighter in the ring with him, and has now had to fall back on Europe again.

Bit of a digression, but any ideas for the vacant EU title? Piece of shit really, but considering what happened to Sprott and Willie Limmond it can't be all bad. Steffan Nielsen I would have thought will be one of the one's who'll fight for it next - maybe Sprott could dive in here again?

Maybe the winner of Williams Skelton could fight someone for it possibly that bloke Bonnin bloke audley beat he was a good enough fighter

Hoffmann got a 6month medical suspension after the Vidoz fight. Why is it so bad that Vidoz is fighting Koc?

Part of an answer from Sauerland about Harrison calling out Vidoz:
"But if Audley really wants to fight for the European Championship he can do so, once Koc becomes Champion. I am sure he remembers Koc well, it is the same Koc that beat him twice (Belgium and Turkey) before the Sydney Olympics in 2000."