Harrison: “I believe I’m the bigger puncher” than Haye

By Boxing News - 10/12/2010 - Comments

By William Mackay: Former 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Audley Harrison (27-4, 20 KO’s) isn’t the least bit intimidated by World Boxing Association David Haye (24-1, 22 KO’s) and his reputation for being a huge puncher. Harrison, 38, feels he has just as much to offer in the way of power with his left and feels he’s an even bigger puncher than Haye.

In an article at Sky Sports, Harrison says “David has definitely shown he is a big puncher, you have to give him respect for that, he can bang. But my left hand is equal to his right hand. I believe I am the bigger puncher, I am more accurate than David and the big difference is I know I can take David’s punches. I am ready to fight now. I know I can do 12 rounds at hard and fast pace. I am ready now.”

It’s hard to say whether either fighter would be able to take the power shots from the other. We know that Haye was stopped by 40-year-old Carl Thompson while fighting as a cruiserweight. Thompson doesn’t punch as hard as Harrison. We also saw Haye down against 5’11” Jean Marc Mormeck, another fighter that doesn’t hit as hard as Harrison. And then finally, Haye was knocked down and hurt by Monte Barrett. There’s little doubt that Harrison is a bigger puncher than Barrett.

However, Harrison has been hurt by fighters like Danny Williams, Michael Sprott and Martin Rogan. Those guys don’t punch as hard Haye. This fight could come down to whichever fighter lands their bombs first could be the one that wins the fight. Haye will likely be playing it safe and will occasionally throw a long distance bomb. He’ll try to take advantages of any opportunities Harrison gives him to land counter shots.

Harrison has this to say about Haye’s trainer/manager Adam Booth: “They are both weak links for each other. In the Carl Thompson fight, Adam was throwing the towel in when David was trying to throw a punch. I don’t know if Adam Booth has ever boxed or been in the ring, but obviously there was a disconnect there as he was trying to throw in the towel and rescue David and David was trying to fight.”

Harrison is right about Booth acting hastily. While I thought Haye was hurt, he had recovered and was still throwing lethal punches while flat footed. His legs were obviously gone but he was still able to land some huge shots without even bending his legs.

I think Booth reacted too quickly and may have prevented Haye coming back in that round and possibly winning the fight. Harrison says “Me and David Haye they can say there is a gulf in class, but there isn’t. I am an Olympic champion and I am back to that level again.”



Comments are closed.