By Jamie Eskdale: As British heavyweight Audley Harrison announces his retirement from boxing following a 1st round knockout loss to Deontay Wilder last Saturday night, lets have a look at his career.
Mention Audley Harrison’s name to boxing fans and non boxing fans alike and you would most likely be met with a snicker. ‘A Force’ or A Farce as most people referred to him seemed to have it all but where did it all go wrong?
Audley was a highly accomplished amateur and boasted a record of 46-8. Harrison won Gold at the 1998 Commonwealth games and Gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics creating a real buzz about him. He was awarded an MBE from the Queen soon after and turned professional landing a reported 10 fight £1,000,000 from the BBC.
He went on an initial 16 fight unbeaten run, although his opposition was questionable he was still winning. He won the ‘WBF World title’ ad defended the belt twice. At this point in his career Audley was being touted as the next Lennox Lewis by amongst others ring magazine. Harrison had a few more wins against more nondescript opposition before getting a call at5 weeks notice to fight Danny Williams for the Commonwealth title. He lost a split decision and claimed he was robbed. Harrison also lost his next fight. He again collided with Williams again this time knocking him out in 3. After the fight Harrison again repeated the claim he was world class and ready to fight for a world title.
The seemingly reborn Harrison then fought against tough but limited British fighter Michael Sprott for the European title. Harrison lost the fight to a devastating knockout again this time his career would surely be over.
Harrison stubbornly carried on winning a few undercard fights until he came up against Belfast taxi driver Martin Rogan who defeated Harrison in a close decision. This should’ve been the end for Harrison but again he kept going winning the prizefighter tournament in 2009 with the short 3 round fights suiting his amateur background. This propelled Harrison to another fight again Michael Sprott for the European title.
He appeared lackluster in this fight and the fight was petering out in the last round with Harrison behind on all three judges cards until he unleashed a devastating bomb to KO Sprott.
Harrison later revealed he suffered a shoulder injury early in the fight, seeming to back up his terrible performance.
As Harrison was stumbling through fights his former sparring partner David Haye was busy becoming the undisputed unified Cruiserweight king eventually stepping up to heavyweight and taking the WBA version of the title from giant Nikolai Valuev.
Somehow Haye granted Audley a Title shot. The ‘fight’ was an absolute joke with Harrison throwing 1 punch on his way to a 3rd round TKO and surely this time it would be curtains for the 1 time prospect.
Again Harrison vowed to carry on and a had a few low key fights until he came up against highly touted British prospect David Price. Price KO’d Harrison in the first round. Amazingly Harrison kept going and won another prizefighter tournament.
Harrison this past weekend was KO’d again by American prospect Deontay Wilder and has finally this morning announced his retirement from the sport.
Audley Harrison could have and probably should have been a star of boxing. He had all the natural ability in the world but seemed to lack the heart for a battle. He will likely exit boxing having made enough money to,live comfortably for the rest of his days but to me and many of boxing fans he will simply be remembered as a disappointment.
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