BoxRec

Firstly, I would like to say congratulations to Michael for his victory. To my fans, and anyone who cares for my well being, although I am disappointed to have lost, I am physically and mentally OK. As fighters, we aim to inflict maximum damage on our opponents, but at the end of the day it is a sport with a winner and a loser.

The punch (of which I obviously didn't see!) was a great shot, landed flush and it was sweet goodnight. But as Michael's expressions showed, it was not in tune with the fight till then and it can be argued it was a lucky shot to some degree.

But that is boxing and no excuses; I ignored the cardinal rule of boxing, and paid the ultimate price (hands up at all times, or at least when in range).

After knocking him down and having such a good first round, I lost focus and went forward rather than sticking to the game plan. I dropped my hands to open him up, hoping to land a clean shot that would send him home. I was sinking in body shots to help soften him up and although he rushed me a bit in the 2nd round I felt it was just a matter of time before I landed a telling blow. (I broke the other rule of boxing here – don't look for the knockout as it won't come.)

That is pretty much it, plain and simple. I could mention many things that went wrong in camp or how I was feeling after the high of the Williams win, but it’s irrelevant as I got in there and was good enough to win.

Once again, the papers and critics are out in force, which is understandable and I almost can see their point that my career appears over. But we are talking about ME here and maybe I am delusional or just plain crazy , but I feel determined (maybe more so now) to rectify this loss and move on in my career.

God is great, I feel focused and positive and I know my career is not over. Despite Michael Sprott saying no rematch, we all know how the business works, and if it makes commercial sense, I’m sure we will fight again. Boxing is full of the rematches/grudge matches. To highlight my point, Matt Skelton has already stopped Sprott, yet they are fighting again in May.

In the meantime, I will rest, recharge my batteries and chill out. When I go back to the gym I will iron out my mistakes and bounce back. I believe just like Danny Williams, who can go from the loss to me to another championship fight, I am ready, willing and able to step right back in there at championship level. I train hard and am comfortable with the idea of getting straight back in there. I have lost no confidence from this defeat and will continue to believe in myself and stay focused to deliver next time round.

Although, I’ve heard comments made by allegedly and others regarding my ability to attract an audience in the future, I am sure the paying public will be curious to see this crazy guy whose career is effectively over, trying to kid himself, getting in there with nothing left but ego and fools pride. And the question is; how will it end? Will it be as the papers say or will I rise from the ashes once more to deliver on my promises?

I truly feel blessed with my life and although I lost the fight, I won't lose the lesson.

nickd wrote:He should have said

"I put my hands up, I wasn't good enough on the night but I will try and fix things in the gym, imrpove and look to come back better and stronger"

That would have been acceptable and humble.

Not this shit which smacks of "I don't wanna make excuses BUT...."

deadpan wrote:This Audley hatefest has gone WAY too far. Show me a boxer who doesn't come up with excuses after a defeat and I'll show you a breakdancing pensioner. At least he's in good heavyweight company. Lennox, Tyson, Wlad K, Toney, Holyfield, Rahman, Briggs, Golota have all pulled the same stroke to name but a few.

If Audley had been kayoed in the Middleton fight and was then soundly outpointed by Butterbean, McNeeley and Mia St John he'd have still achieved more in boxing than 98% of all the men who ever laced on gloves. Yet accordingly to most posters here he is a loser and a wan*er.

If Gary Glitter posted on here he'd get more respect from most of you.

chief wrote:I've tried to give Audley every chance in his stuttering, faultering pro career but to mouth off like he did after the Williams win and then for events to unfold as they now have, he's just not worth the time and with the benefit of hindsight, he never was.. Tit.

deadpan wrote:This Audley hatefest has gone WAY too far. Show me a boxer who doesn't come up with excuses after a defeat and I'll show you a breakdancing pensioner. At least he's in good heavyweight company. Lennox, Tyson, Wlad K, Toney, Holyfield, Rahman, Briggs, Golota have all pulled the same stroke to name but a few.

If Audley had been kayoed in the Middleton fight and was then soundly outpointed by Butterbean, McNeeley and Mia St John he'd have still achieved more in boxing than 98% of all the men who ever laced on gloves. Yet accordingly to most posters here he is a loser and a wan*er.

If Gary Glitter posted on here he'd get more respect from most of you.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I don't hate Audley, I've never even met the man, he might be a lovely bloke, but his public persona has been irritating in the extreme, and his career has been a shambolic farce.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Last time I checked Ricky Hatton was the ring magazine's #1 140 lb fighter, and he beat Kostya Tszyu.

Ricky also never made wild and extravagant claims about himself, he's never bad mouthed his opponents, and he is always humble when he wins. He's more humble when he wins, that Audley is in defeat.

I don't hate Audley, I've never even met the man, he might be a lovely bloke, but his public persona has been irritating in the extreme, and his career has been a shambolic farce.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Last time I checked Ricky Hatton was the ring magazine's #1 140 lb fighter, and he beat Kostya Tszyu.

Ricky also never made wild and extravagant claims about himself, he's never bad mouthed his opponents, and he is always humble when he wins. He's more humble when he wins, that Audley is in defeat.

I don't hate Audley, I've never even met the man, he might be a lovely bloke, but his public persona has been irritating in the extreme, and his career has been a shambolic farce.

Ricky fought bums for 30+ fights whiole calling himself a world champion - thats the defintion of a fraud. As is calling yourself the best in the world while avoiding top comptition and blatantly avoiding your top domestic rival while prefering the Urangos of this world. Hattons hyped himself up in his own little way and had his trainer claiming Rickys the best British fighter ever. As for bad mouthing opponent - is Audley even that bad at that and Hattons badmouthed Witter a fair bit.

At least Audley fought his top British rivals

Hatton and Audley have marketed themselves in the exact same way, Audley wasn't quite good enough to pull off the hype. Rickys pulled off the hype by avoiding the best competition but they're both hype jobs one beloved and one hated. To me there from the same cloth.

don't call it a comeback wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Last time I checked Ricky Hatton was the ring magazine's #1 140 lb fighter, and he beat Kostya Tszyu.

Ricky also never made wild and extravagant claims about himself, he's never bad mouthed his opponents, and he is always humble when he wins. He's more humble when he wins, that Audley is in defeat.

I don't hate Audley, I've never even met the man, he might be a lovely bloke, but his public persona has been irritating in the extreme, and his career has been a shambolic farce.

Ricky fought bums for 30+ fights whiole calling himself a world champion - thats the defintion of a fraud. As is calling yourself the best in the world while avoiding top comptition and blatantly avoiding your top domestic rival while prefering the Urangos of this world. Hattons hyped himself up in his own little way and had his trainer claiming Rickys the best British fighter ever. As for bad mouthing opponent - is Audley even that bad at that and Hattons badmouthed Witter a fair bit.

At least Audley fought his top British rivals

Hatton and Audley have marketed themselves in the exact same way, Audley wasn't quite good enough to pull off the hype. Rickys pulled off the hype by avoiding the best competition but they're both hype jobs one beloved and one hated. To me there from the same cloth.

I'm sorry but thats a laughable comparison.