By Mark Calooke: No one expected Audley Harrison to win tonight. The fight was a mismatch and a farce. But Audley didn’t deserve the injustice he received. Harrison should have retired long ago and nothing has changed there. fans know what to expect from Harrison and it is nothing good.
After just one minute of the first round, Wilder landed a cracking right hand. Harrison was hurt but was smart enough to take a knee. Wilder then lunged in with several wild and sloppy hooks. It wasn’t his fault because he was over excited. But nowhere in boxing does it say that it is legal to hit someone whilst they are on the floor. The ref saw Harrison take a knee and should have given him a standing 8 count. Instead he let Wilder hit Harrison several times.
Let’s face facts, Wilder was going to win. He has been protected to the point where Audley Harrison was classed as a step up for him. he was going to win and it wouldn’t have taken long. after the first right hand which resulted in Audley doing the right thing and going down, he was okay. Heart yes, but he could have continued. After the MMA beating he wasn’t okay.
In some way it could play out as a blessing. The right man won. The more talented man won. Wilder may now go on to take genuine challenges. Harrison knows he hasn’t got it, or does he? That’s the problem. The truth is that the rules were broken and he will now play on it. This result was a embarrassment to boxing and will now give Harrison reason to fight on.
The undermining of the rules wasn’t the only tragedy. Wilder went unmentioned after. The commentators put emphasis on Harrison. Time and time again they have said how bad Audley is and they didn’t hold back this time. but what about Wilder? He trained for it and done the job he was paid to do. I don’t even class his ground and pound as naughty. He was pumped up and trying to crowd please. It’s the ref who is responsible for enforcing rules.
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