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Sprott gagging to KO Audley
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 08:31
by Chesney_Chambers
Sprott gagging to KO Audley
By PAT SHEEHAN, thesun.co.uk
February 13, 2007
MICHAEL SPROTT is hoping he can collect his hush money when he fights Audley Harrison on Saturday night.
The EU heavyweight champion picks up the best purse of his career — around £80,000 — when he steps through the ropes at Wembley Arena.
But Sprott remembers the time when he was paid £200 for being Harrison’s sparring partner — and then agreeing not to breath a word to anyone.
Sprott, 32, revealed: “It was early in Audley’s career and lots was being written about him. He was keen that no stories about our sessions got out so he made me sign a confidentiality clause.
“I was happy to go along with it and I still can’t talk about what happened back then because the agreement is still legally binding.
“Did I ever put Audley on his backside during those sessions? Well ... I can’t say, can I?”
Sprott looked in terrific condition as he went through his final preparations at the Cityboxer gym in London.
He is convinced he can put Harrison on the canvas and halt the Olympic champion’s dream of a world-title shot by the end of this year.
Reading’s Sprott said: “I’ve nothing against Audley. He is a nice guy but this is all about business and fighting him represents a big opportunity for me, forget about him.
"I have my own ambitions about becoming world champion and beating Audley will put me up there with the big names.
“Obviously I know all about how Harrison fights from our sparring days and that is why I am so confident.
“A lot of people are saying Audley just has to turn up to win because of how he beat Danny Williams in his last bout.
*
“I turned down the chance to fight Audley instead of Danny because I was not in full training. Danny took it at just eight days’ notice.
“Audley has some physical advantages being 6ft 5in and with a long reach but I box stronger.
“This is my 40th fight, this is my time. I will get rid of him as quick as I can and it will be my name up there not his.”
Sprott seems a top class bloke. Reading between the lines it sounds like he put Audley on his arse in the sparring sessions, but I don't think a knockdown 5 or so years ago will mean much come fight time.
I'm getting quite excited about this fight.
Come on Audley!!!
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 08:41
by Autobarn
Sprott gagging on Audley. Sounds obscene, especially in public.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 08:43
by JC
Taken Sprott on points 10/1 is just too good to resist.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 08:52
by Chesney_Chambers
J-C wrote:Taken Sprott on points 10/1 is just too good to resist.
What site was that on (just out of interest)? StanJames has Sprott on points at 6/1
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 09:00
by jomothepure
Chesney_Chambers wrote:J-C wrote:Taken Sprott on points 10/1 is just too good to resist.
What site was that on (just out of interest)? StanJames has Sprott on points at 6/1
Rickmasters skybet. That's also the price on betfair, but not a lot to back atm
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 10:07
by Chesney_Chambers
jomothepure wrote:Chesney_Chambers wrote:J-C wrote:Taken Sprott on points 10/1 is just too good to resist.
What site was that on (just out of interest)? StanJames has Sprott on points at 6/1
Rickmasters skybet. That's also the price on betfair, but not a lot to back atm
Ta
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 10:24
by overhand_right
Sprott on points 10/1? Thats not bad at all, might put something on him.
What about Audley on points, what are best odds you can get on that?
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 10:25
by Neri
J-C wrote:Taken Sprott on points 10/1 is just too good to resist.
Very tempting indeed.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 10:37
by emma
Amir's opponent is 12/1.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 11:28
by JC
Chesney_Chambers wrote:jomothepure wrote:Chesney_Chambers wrote:
What site was that on (just out of interest)? StanJames has Sprott on points at 6/1
Rickmasters skybet. That's also the price on betfair, but not a lot to back atm
Ta
Yeah Skybet for that one, always good to check this site
http://bettingzone.oddschecker.com/ if your betting to find the best odds on offer.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 11:30
by JC
overhand_right wrote:Sprott on points 10/1? Thats not bad at all, might put something on him.
What about Audley on points, what are best odds you can get on that?
2/1 also from skybet,
http://www.skybet.com/skybet?action=GoEvEv&id=10704246
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 11:43
by Chesney_Chambers
If I wasn't an Audley fan, I'd be having a speculative bet on a Sprott points win.......even though Audley wins in the 5th
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 11:59
by jamesmcdonnell
Am I being stupid here, surely that's a no lose bet.
Place a 20 on Harrison at 2-1, and then a fiver on Sprott at 10-1, and you cannot lose.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 12:00
by jamesmcdonnell
Whoopsy- silly me, that's points wins only.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 12:04
by overhand_right
But James its likely to go points isn't it? Can either really stop the other guy? I doubt it.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 12:07
by jamesmcdonnell
Well, depends on whether Audley's power is for real. It is also possible that Audley tires late on and gets stopped.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 12:12
by overhand_right
Even if hes gets tired, Sprott doesnt hit as hard as Williams or Guinn, and he's never been Mr Work Rate down the stretch so would be odd now.
He was ahead after 10 with Williams and bought into his corners reverse psychology mind games and just gave up on himself.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 12:16
by jamesmcdonnell
We've not seen Audley in anything like a hard fight so far, not against quality anyway. I know Sprott isn't exactly king kong, but he is pretty nippy, has an underrated dig, and won't be a big immobile lump like Williams.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 12:18
by SticknMove
You can not discount an inside the distance win for one or the other.
But if you're looking at a points outcome either ways, the bet James suggested isn't a bad punt.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 13:05
by Loynesy
SticknMove wrote:You can not discount an inside the distance win for one or the other.
But if you're looking at a points outcome either ways, the bet James suggested isn't a bad punt.
although with a couple of zeroes added to make it a proper punt
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 13:07
by jamesmcdonnell
You obviously have a bit more spare cash than I do.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 13:15
by SticknMove
Loynesy wrote:SticknMove wrote:You can not discount an inside the distance win for one or the other.
But if you're looking at a points outcome either ways, the bet James suggested isn't a bad punt.
although with a couple of zeroes added to make it a proper punt
You're a brave man.
That's a big loss if it doesn't go the distance.
Re: Sprott gagging to KO Audley
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 13:50
by ILikeBeer
I read this in The Sun this morning. When I read it, my 'reading between the lines' suggested that Michael Sprott didn't do Audley any damage whatsoever in sparring, but brought up that he wasn't allowed to say if he did or not to make it sound like he did.
But that might just be me.
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 14:05
by nickd
I remember there were rumours floating around that Sprott had KO'd Harrison in sparring. This was a while ago. Anyone else remember that?
Posted: 13 Feb 2007, 14:19
by Shirow
Ches, could you give me the link for this on the Sun site as i can't find it.
Cheers