By Gari Jones: Well it’s been a long time coming but it finally has happened, Audley Harrison W27, KO20, L5, D0 is making his long awaited comeback on the 14th April against little known Iraq born British heavyweight Ali Adams W13, KO5, L3, D1.
It’s no surprise to see Audley wanting to make a return; his un-dignifying performance in that three round snore fest against David Haye back in November 2010 was not the way he intended to bow out. Audley’s performance was criticized by many fans and calls for his retirement soon followed. Landing only one punch in what was a lack lustre fight, it proved however to be a valuable punch as Audley collected a purse of £1 Million that night.
14 months and a strictly come dancing later it will be interesting to find out how much he’s being paid this time to fight the unknown Ali Adams. Looking at his pro record Adams lacks any real pedigree. His only noticeable fight is the confrontation he had with Matt Skelton in the Prize-fighter heavyweight tournament in October 2010 which he lost on points.
Despite the low key event Audley has called this fight Redemption or Retirement. For those who follow boxing even badly this is a funny title to choose. Defeating Adams won’t redeem Audley of anything; it will just prove that he has the ability to beat 3rd tier opposition, we all know that when Audley is put under real pressure he panics, gets scared and refuses to engage his opponent.
Adams seems to be up for the fight though. On ESPN.com he stated “Audley is a joke. His fight with Haye was an embarrassment and he still wants to make a comeback,” Adams said. “I will give him such a beating that Audley will see he does not belong in a boxing ring again.” If Adams can actually back up his words this fight may prove to be interesting.
I get angry at Audley sometimes, because I look at him and I see someone whose career could’ve been so much more different. Audley’s career should have gone the way of Lennox Lewis, title fights in Vegas, Class match-ups with the likes of the Klitschko’s and PPV Box Office moments. He could’ve ruled this division for years and retired years ago a wealthy successful man.
He had the physical tools and the natural ability but he just lacked the willingness and bravery. Some may blame his career shortcomings on his preference to go it alone rather than to hire a promoter to handle his career progression, but I blame his shortcomings on his cowardice and lack of drive to want to succeed. Audley’s confidence has never fully recovered from that first loss to Danny Williams back in late 2005 and it cost him, it was a loss that contributed to him losing fights to the likes of Martin Rogan, Dominick Guinn and Michael Sprott. Despite avenging that loss against Sprott and finally getting his world title chance, Audley once again failed MISERABLY to take it.
Audley will not be getting chances like that again; this comeback is pointless, his career is well and truly over and it’s about time he realised that. A win over Adams might give Audley the comfort of going out on a winning note but I don’t see what progression he can make after that. The likes of Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora are way ahead of him right now; a fight with Audley would be seen as a step backwards for them. Whatever Audley does I wish him luck but there comes a time when even Audley must admit it, ITS TIME TO CALL IT A DAY.
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