Could Michael Sprott soon earn a title shot

By Gari Jones: This idea may not sound as far fetched as you think. Three of Britain’s’ boxers have caught the headlines in recent Heavyweight World Title matches (David Haye v Audley Harrison and Derek Chisora v Wladimir Klitshcko) it might not be inconceivable to think Michael Sprott could soon earn one too.

Michael Sprott (W35 (KO 17) L15 (8 by KO) D0) who just recently won the third (heavyweight) installment of Barry Hearn’s popular format Prizefighter seems to be following the same path as Audley Harrison. Cast your mind back to October 2009 when Audley Harrsion (W27 (KO20) L5 (2 by KO) D0) looked to be finished in boxing, having lost 4 of his last 8 fight’s; Harrison looked meant for retirement when in 2008 he lost to Irish Taxi-man Martin Rogan for the British Heavyweight Title (who’s status as a heavyweight could only be described as amateur). When in 2009 Barry Hearn offered Audley a lifeline, with his name added entered for prize-fighter, Harrison went on to win that tournament Harrison and then claim the vacant European Heavyweight title with a last gasp effort oddly enough against Michael Sprott. Due to this run of success Audley’s ranking had increased to a point where he was then given a title shot against David Haye.

Given the lack of decent Heavyweights in the division right now Sprott could very easily do the same thing. Being no stranger to the European circuit Sprott has held the European Heavyweight title on three separate occasions; his fight record also shows some noticeable names too (Timo Hoffman, Matt Skelton, Danny Williams, Paulo Vidoz and Ruslan Chageav) Sprott who’s trained Germany and has had many sparring sessions with the Klitschko brother’s, it does show that Sprott is quite an experienced heavyweight. Although now somewhat of a journey and seeming more content to box for money rather than ambition, if Michael Sprott were able to put together a string of decent wins he could be offered a chance to fight one of the Klitschko’s.

Although such a thing is very unlikely to happen I wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss Sprott just yet, he seems to be keeping in relatively good shape and his career could’ve gone a different direction had he not lost to Audley Harrison in the European Heavyweight title match that took place back in April 2010. Sprott leading on points and showing some good boxing skills (it was obvious the sparring sessions with the Klitschko’s were paying off) was very unfortunate to be caught out in the dying minutes of the 12th round, had the fight gone to the scorecards it could very well have been Sprott challenging Haye for the WBA Heavyweight title and not Audley Harrison, at least with Sprott you could guarantee he would have put up more of a fight with the Hayemaker rather than the disaster that was Audley A’Farce Harrison.

It may very well be that Sprott will never gain a world title shot, reason being he doesn’t seem that interested in title glory anymore, his ranking puts him no where near contention and being 35yrs of age he might not have that long left in the world of professional boxing, but I cant help but think that given the a success of wins and the right amount of luck it may well still be possible that Sprott could soon get his c

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