Audley’s road to salvation

By Richard Everett: Unfulfilled promise, a cautionary tale of what could have been, a false dawn and even unworthy of the title of ‘boxer’. All descriptions of a boxing contender upon which in late 2000 Great Britain harboured great expectations.

Since Audley Harrison’s seemingly fateful ascent into the professional ranks his potential has never been fully realised- neither for that matter has an amicable relationship with the press. Lets just say Audley never has been a ‘media darling’.

He constantly laments his portrayal and has endlessly professed his own self-belief even when faced with scrutiny and numerous shocking defeats.

With an amateur career that boasts British, Commonwealth and Olympic titles it remains much revered and is testament to an undeniable talent. Coupled with his amateur pedigree he possesses an imposing 6 foot 5 frame, an underrated jab and notable inside fighting skills.

Yet still that triumphant night in Sydney remains 9 years later as his most notable achievement. In fact it has required the glorified bar room brawl that is ‘Prizefighter’ on Friday night to serve as Audley’s latest silver lining.

Audley was impressive in his manner of victory, scoring multiple knockdowns along the way to a 2nd round knockout of Coleman Barrett. With this victory he claims it will propel him to Heavyweight glory. The context of the victory seems to be of little importance to Audley, the fact that of his three opponents none had even fought at British title level was irrelevant. A showdown with Vitali Klitschko looms.

From the night Audley won Olympic Gold, he has constantly reiterated he is motivated by World Championship glory, his prophecy of emulating the legacies of modern greats such as Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis have fallen by the wayside – thankfully.

If this truly remains his sole inspiration, Friday night’s conquest cannot act as his own personal harbinger.

Audley’s path to an unlikely World title should be navigated with his age, past indiscretions and frailties in mind. He is on the eve of his 38th birthday after all and up until that howitzer of a left greeted Barrett’s chin Harrison was in the midst of displaying an ever-apparent flaw.

His glass jaw is well documented but it was his propensity to shirk at a challenge that was most evident this night. When faced with an opponent who throws a high accumulation of punches and seemingly grabs the initiative Audley closes up ranks, his punch output withers to nothing and he becomes somewhat reminiscent of a fencer – only without the sword.

Time is of the essence if Audley is to fulfil his own prophecy of World Championship glory.

Firstly, he needs to prove himself domestically, a third bout with Danny Williams in early 2010 and a showdown with the winner of the forthcoming Rogan-Sexton bout spring to mind. In completing these tasks not only would he prove himself to be the best in Britain and Ireland (David Haye apart of course) he would exorcise demons in the process.

If either of those bouts did not appear fraught with enough danger it is the next stage which I feel may prove insurmountable for Audley. He must then face at least one World championship level fighter. A fighter with universal recognition but at the same time would pose as small a threat as possible to Harrison. An opponent without a high punch output and one upon whom Harrison could impose his height advantage. Names which spring to mind include James Toney, Hasim Rahman and Ruslan Chagaev. Encounters of which cause me to shudder at the thought of the outcome..

Unfortunately cherry picking opponents remains the sole foundation upon which an Audley Harrison World title bout could materialize. Even then he may have to rely on excellent self promotion and flattering methods of victory to grab the attention of a Heavyweight champion.

It seems rather ironic that Audley Harrison career began with the same cherry picking tactics. A career founded upon what was effectively a BBC/A-Force financed promotional tour that left no room for quality opposition and was primarily designed to line the coffers of both BBC execs and Audley Harrison alike.

Unlikely as these predetermined set of events are we must ask ourselves a question –Would a world title or attempt at a world title by these means truly grant Harrison salvation or would a smash and grab title raid followed by prompt retirement be reflective of the Harrison approach which we pour so much scorn on?

It is his road herein towards a World Championship and not the clinching of a title that might define Audley and his career. Salvation does not lie with the symbolism of a World title- it lies with Audley Harrison’s own conscience.

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