Hearn: Audley Harrison needs a big win before he can get another world title shot

By Boxing News - 02/25/2013 - Comments

By Scott Gilfoid: Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sports believes all 41-year-old Audley Harrison (31-6, 23 KO’s) needs is big win over the likes of Tony Thompson, Tyson Fury or Dereck Chisora to be in position to get another world title shot after having been completely embarrassed the last time he fought for a world title three years ago by David Haye.

Hearn told I Film London “He [Harrison] needs a massive test to get a world title shot. If he can beat Thompson, Fury or Chisora, then he deserves a world title shot. He probably will get another shot.”

Harrison has been talking about wanting another crack at a world title in 2013 since winning the heavyweight Prizefighter tournament last Saturday night in London. Harrison beat several 2nd tier heavyweights Derric Rossy, Martin Rogan and Claus Bertino to capture the Prizefighter tournament championship.

However, there wasn’t anyone in the tournament that you could say is a truly good heavyweight, and definitely not one good enough for Harrison to be talking world title shot. I mean, he beats a handful of mediocre heavyweights and the boxing world is supposed to get excited about it? No, that’s not how it works.

I think Hearn is dreaming about Harrison getting another title shot if he beats Thompson, Fury or Chisora. First off, Harrison WON’T beat those guys. They’re definitely better fighters than Harrison any day of the week. Even if Harrison did beat one or all of them, he’s still likely not going to get a title shot unless he were to work his way up to the #1 spot and becomes a mandatory challenger for one of the heavyweight champions because he’s failed to deliver when he has been on the big stage in the past. Who wants to take a chance on Harrison fighting for a title? I can’t think of any of the champions that would give him a shot for fear of winding up with egg on their face like David Haye did back in 2010.

Do you honestly think IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko wants to pick out a British domestic level heavyweight like Harrison and give him a title shot just because he beats someone like Fury, Chisora or Thompson?

It’s not going to happen. Harrison will be ignored or made to face someone good that will weed him out like Kubrat Pulev. That’s how it works in the world level ranks because Harrison already blew too many chances and he’s not going to be just picked out from the 2nd tier heap and given a title shot like in the movies. It’s not happening.



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