Alex Livesey - Getty Images
Audley Harrison returns to the ring in April to face Ali Adams. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Forgotten British heavyweight Audley Harrison will return to the ring in April against Ali Adams.
Harrison's return comes 18 months after his embarrassing defeat to David Haye in November 2010 when challenging for the WBA Heavyweight title.
The 40-year-old will now lace his gloves up once more to face Adams in a ten round clash in Brentwood on April 14th. Speaking to Sky Sports, Harrison explained his disappointment in defeat to Haye, and was grateful for the opportunity to return to the ring.
"I've never been more disappointed in myself as I felt that night (against Haye). Anyone can lose, but I didn't lose with dignity, so I was never going to retire off that performance. I've been sitting here on the shelf for 15 months, so I'm grateful for this opportunity. With my right arm healed, I'll have too much for Ali Adams and I intend to show I still have a future in the game."
Iraq-born Adams is ten years younger than Harrison and has won 13 and lost three of his 17 fights. In 2010 he appeared in Prizefighter and lost by unanimous decision to former British and European heavyweight champion Matt Skelton.
Despite being a relatively unknown fighter, Adams has branded Harrison a joke and believes he has what it takes to beat him and stop his career once and for all.
"Audley is a joke. His fight with Haye was an embarrassment and he still wants to comeback. I will give him such a beating that Audley will see he does not belong in a boxing ring again."
During his exile Harrison starred on reality TV show Strictly Come Dancing, showing some fairly wooden movements that we normally see within the ring. The media circus leading up to the Haye fight surrounded Harrison's self belief that he never stopped thinking he could be World Champion. A minority of fans believed him, and I guess you have to admire his determination...or would you call it stupidity? Harrison is a frustrating fighter to watch, he has power but seems too lethargic. As a regular (bored) viewer of his fights I just wish he would come out and take some chances, instead of hiding behind the jab.
The fight in April should be an easy comeback for Harrison, but with his past you never know, he could be humiliated again. I expect Harrison to win in a dull fashion and during his post-fight conference claim he is back where he belongs and one day that belt will be around his waist.
What do you guys think to Harrison's comeback? Should he return to the ring or hang up his gloves?
0 recs | 11 comments
Thomas is new to the BLH team and will be adding some UK perspective on fight news from across the pond. Very excited to have him on board and expanding our UK coverage.
Scott Christ - January 18, 2012
Welcome aboard, Thomas!
Boss Man - January 18, 2012
Thanks for the welcome, hopefully I’ll be able to provide some good content on a regular basis!
Thomas Hill - January 18, 2012
Yay!!!!!!!
BoxingOutlivesFads - January 18, 2012
Welcome! :-)
BrianBrock - January 18, 2012
We got ourselves a fresh one.....
Adams is far from great. But Audley is so inconsistant I wouldn’t be suprised if he lossed
Sweet science - January 18, 2012
Audley was on the radio this morning over here in the UK, blabbing on about his last chance and how he couldn’t retire without going out with a win. He repeats the same speech after every disappointment…surely enough is enough?
Thomas Hill - January 19, 2012
If a man with his pure boxing talent can’t beat Marty Rogan (and I love the Irish Cabbie), you shouldn’t be fighting in the upper tier of the sport. Some boxers have that …. x factor…. In Audley he is the one fighter where it is so missing, if that makes sense
Sweet science - January 19, 2012
Totally agree
It does make sense. I also love Rogan, his no nonsense attitude and sheer determination to never give up was a pleasure to watch a few years ago. But Rogan didn’t have talent like Harrison and that is what is frustrating. It’s like anything in life…you can have god given talent to do something but if you don’t work hard you won’t be rewarded. It seems while he is in the ring he knows he has the power to get people out of there…but he just doesn’t for some reason.
Thomas Hill - January 19, 2012
Welcome, Thomas. Nice piece.
My impression is that Harrison never really gt used to being hit without headgear, after he made the transition from amateur to professional. He looks to me like he reacts to the prospect with fear.
I look forward to more of your writing.
DrRck - January 18, 2012
Thanks
Cheers for the kind words, hopefully from now on there will be plenty of posts from myself while covering the UK stuff.
I have to agree with your point about the fear factor, for once I’d like to see him rough it up and show what he has got. I mean to train for all that time and not throw a punch against Haye…and then claim that was the plan to hurt him late on, come on Audley. He had the world at his feet when he first started, getting the contract with the BBC. Just a shame it never developed into a success story.
Thomas Hill - January 19, 2012
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