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One thing I kept hearing from the UK commentary during Audley Harrison's last bout was "he needs to show that he's got the Devil in him". And it's true.
Audley's one of two fringe contenders from the UK that are just about coming under the radar at present, the other being Matt Skelton. They both have widely different pedigrees and histories, but one of them seems to be going somewhere the other is not.
Audley has an amateur record that led him to Gold in the Sydney Olympics (five years ago now). His boxing style is something like 90% science, 10% agression. So apparently reluctant to get involved even Lewis would call him cautious, Audley has had an injury-plagued career and has bolstered his 18 (13 KOs)-0 record largely on journeymen of the very highest order.
Matt Skelton on the other hand has NO amateur boxing experience, coming off the K-1 circuit and going straight in with 16 bouts (15 wins), and becoming the fastest-ever to win the British & Commonweath titles (faster than Lennox Lewis) in only his 13th pro bout. Again, he has yet to face anyone of real note, with probably his three biggest names being Michael Sprott (KO 12), Bob Mirovic (TKO 4) and Fabio Eduardo Moli (TKO 6). Next month he faces a on-the-way-back-down Danny Williams, where he will defend his recently-acquired WBU Belt.
However, Skelton, as an equation, is almost the exact opposite of Harrison... he's more like 10% skill, 90% aggression, a large, crude, clubbing bear that satisfies the crowds who pay to see him because they know exactly what they're going to get. His clear joy at being in the ring is in stark contrast to Audley who seems to enjoy all the trappings of being a boxing celebrity, except for the fighting side of it.
With a growing difference in their fortunes, it makes me ask whether it's really necessary to have that talent at all?
Audley's one of two fringe contenders from the UK that are just about coming under the radar at present, the other being Matt Skelton. They both have widely different pedigrees and histories, but one of them seems to be going somewhere the other is not.
Audley has an amateur record that led him to Gold in the Sydney Olympics (five years ago now). His boxing style is something like 90% science, 10% agression. So apparently reluctant to get involved even Lewis would call him cautious, Audley has had an injury-plagued career and has bolstered his 18 (13 KOs)-0 record largely on journeymen of the very highest order.
Matt Skelton on the other hand has NO amateur boxing experience, coming off the K-1 circuit and going straight in with 16 bouts (15 wins), and becoming the fastest-ever to win the British & Commonweath titles (faster than Lennox Lewis) in only his 13th pro bout. Again, he has yet to face anyone of real note, with probably his three biggest names being Michael Sprott (KO 12), Bob Mirovic (TKO 4) and Fabio Eduardo Moli (TKO 6). Next month he faces a on-the-way-back-down Danny Williams, where he will defend his recently-acquired WBU Belt.
However, Skelton, as an equation, is almost the exact opposite of Harrison... he's more like 10% skill, 90% aggression, a large, crude, clubbing bear that satisfies the crowds who pay to see him because they know exactly what they're going to get. His clear joy at being in the ring is in stark contrast to Audley who seems to enjoy all the trappings of being a boxing celebrity, except for the fighting side of it.
With a growing difference in their fortunes, it makes me ask whether it's really necessary to have that talent at all?
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