Audley Harrison - Inspirational or Delusional?

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by John Hoolan

Harrison is the fighter who never seems to know when to give up. After his defeat to David Price 99% of people said he should retire. The only person who said no was Audley himself. He believes in himself and in his ability, he believes it is his destiny to be world champion.

He saw the latest heavyweight prizefighter show as a stepping stone back onto the road he has tried to follow many times before. Whilst others laughed, sighed and pointed at him his single minded determination resulted in him actually winning the event for the second time.

He is now lined up to fight Deontay Wilder on Amir Khan’s undercard on 20thApril in Sheffield. Wilder is the great hope from the USA with a record of 27 fight, 27 wins, 27 KOs!!

During his pro career whenever it looked like he might have found some belief to go with his undoubted ability he would fall again and would then have to face a torrent of questioning whether he really was any good. For example beating Danny Williams in Sept 2006, but then being beaten by Michael Sprott in his next fight by TKO.

He tried to scale many hills and mountains but always slipped, stumbled and fell before he got to the summit, yet he keeps getting up and trying again…

23 KOs from 31 wins shows that Audley had the power and skill to beat any opponent in front of him on his day, BUT, 6 losses, 4 of which were to Sprott, Williams, Rogan and Guinn show that he lacked the mental ability to go with his boxing skill. At times it looked like he was a rabbit caught in headlights. The 3rd round against David Haye was a classic example of this.

Along with prizefighter the highlight of his pro career was winning the European heavyweight title at his second attempt against Michael Sprott.

But he never wrapped a belt around his waist again and may never again – Yet he still believes...

His defeat at the hands of the commonwealth heavyweight, David Price, after 82 seconds should be his last and should also make it clear to Audley himself that he does not have the tools any longer to succeed at the top of the game domestically, never mind European or world level.

Yet Audley still believes.

We should not forget the good that Audley did boxing and the abuse he received before and after the Price fight was, in my opinion scandalous. Had Audley not won Gold at the 2000 Olympics, boxing GB would have scaled back its programme even more and would also have received a lot less funding, possibly meaning the end of Olympic boxing in the country.

He always believed he'd win gold.

With no TeamGB there would have been no Khan, Degale, Joshua, Adams, Price, etc, etc learning their trades in the amateurs winning medals at Olympic games. I think people should remember that.

Harrison will go into the fight with Wilder as a big underdog with the bookies, however there are those who think he may beat Wilder. Wilder after all is yet to face anybody in the top 30 in the world even after 27 fights and although he has a great KO record is still not a “name” in America and isn’t showcased on US TV the way Fury and Price are in the UK.

A win for Harrison won’t get him a shot at one of the Klitschkos for a title, but it will put him back in the reckoning. Harrison is an enigma that sells tickets and makes money, whether if it’s from people supporting him or people wanting to see him knocked out his opponents won’t mind. His PR machine will go into overdrive calling for a fight with a genuine top 5 contender, nobody will give him a chance – yet he'll still believe.

I asked the question is Audley Inspirational or Delusional at the beginning. Whatever you, I or anybody else thinks, I know what Audley believes…

I wish him well…
(Original article here - http://murmuringsofaboxingmad-man.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/audley-harrison-inspirational-or.html)

If one or two of you could give some feedback to John on the Journal page (below) I woul appreciate it. he is a new writer for us, so would be good to give him some feedback etc

http://v2journal.com/16/post/2013/04/audley-harrison-inspirational-or-delusional.html

No one is perfect...........However some hate the US so much they can't see it.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Bill Clinton cost his Mrs the election.......

1. The remark that Black people always vote for one of their own.....Maybe true but you don't say it!!

2. Made it look like he was ganging up on Obama with Hillary...

Should have stayed the hell out.........

No you should pick and choose Cast is the answer........Some regimes are so bent and cruel you have to kick butt..............Helps if there is some good oil too........so we can get richer as a nation..

Hopefully it's the UAE next..

Bill said that? I'd like a link. NOt that I don't trust you, but I dont.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Azania stop insulting people........grow up.

He wasn't in full compliance..

The weapons inspectors were told to stop while on the verge of concluding that no weapons existed.

Saddam had looked into the possibility of getting nukes, but was warned off and thought otherwise.

History has since demonstrated that the weapons did not exist, and the 45 mins claim was bogus.

The war was illegal and based on lies.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:No one is perfect...........However some hate the US so much they can't see it.

Yep. When faced with facts the loser resorts to the last bit of puerile BS they can muster. "They all hate us". Waaah Waaah.

Cast a Shadow wrote:

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Azania stop insulting people........grow up.

He wasn't in full compliance..

The weapons inspectors were told to stop while on the verge of concluding that no weapons existed.

Saddam had looked into the possibility of getting nukes, but was warned off and thought otherwise.

History has since demonstrated that the weapons did not exist, and the 45 mins claim was bogus.

The war was illegal and based on lies.

How a post on Audley get to Iraq and WMDs?

Truss is partially correct, in that some hate the United States for reasons unknown.

Like most people, I find xenophobia irrational and vile.

Disliking a government is another issue altogether...

UNSCOM.....Declared that there was a discrepancy between what Hussein said he had weapons wise........... and the weapons he had....

IAEA - Complained Hussein was trying to mislead their inspectors...

Read the ACA report.........

Maybe Azania should get help.......not that he's irrational and vile or anything like that!!

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:UNSCOM.....Declared that there was a discrepancy between what Hussein said he had weapons wise........... and the weapons he had....

IAEA - Complained Hussein was trying to mislead their inspectors...

Read the ACA report.........

What year was this?

Going to join sweaty Betty in bed...........Cast been a pleasure as always!!

Az you want to calm down and chill out.............

Cast a Shadow wrote:Truss is partially correct, in that some hate the United States for reasons unknown.

Like most people, I find xenophobia irrational and vile.

Disliking a government is another issue altogether...

I agree. But Truss seems to be inder the impression that criticising the Iraq crime is anti americanism. That is his fall back position when losing any argument (which has been often).

azania wrote:How a post on Audley get to Iraq and WMDs?

That left hand...it's a weapon of mass destruction.

I followed The Obama v Hilary race very closely in 2008.

The choice in the mind of the Average American came down to the lesser of two evils:

1. A black man
2. A woman

In racially divided America even a black man was preferable to a woman.


I agree with Cast in that Obsma is very very similar to Blair in that he really is all about the media and spin. He is an incredibly weak leader and the sooner he's out of office the better. A weak America means a weak Europe.

I like Hilary but I think as well as being a woman she will be too old.

azania wrote:

Cast a Shadow wrote:Truss is partially correct, in that some hate the United States for reasons unknown.

Like most people, I find xenophobia irrational and vile.

Disliking a government is another issue altogether...

I agree. But Truss seems to be inder the impression that criticising the Iraq crime is anti americanism. That is his fall back position when losing any argument (which has been often).

Not sure about that Az - there's a lot of genuine anti-American sentiment out there.

We've done more harm ourselves if you look historically, and I don't see the same hatred towards the British.

To paraphrase a T-shirt, LOVE AMERICA, HATE GEORGE W BUSH!!

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Going to join sweaty Betty in bed...........Cast been a pleasure as always!!

Az you want to calm down and chill out.............

Where's Jo?

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Going to join sweaty Betty in bed...........Cast been a pleasure as always!!

Az you want to calm down and chill out.............

No probs mate - take care.

Strongback wrote:I followed The Obama v Hilary race very closely in 2008.

The choice in the mind of the Average American came down to the lesser of two evils:

1. A black man
2. A woman

In racially divided America even a black man was preferable to a woman.


I agree with Cast in that Obsma is very very similar to Blair in that he really is all about the media and spin. He is an incredibly weak leader and the sooner he's out of office the better. A weak America means a weak Europe.

I like Hilary but I think as well as being a woman she will be too old.

I don't buy that. I think the message of "change" Obama was offering was a winner. He fought a brilliant campaign and got his message across. I doubt that his ethnicity had a negative effect. In fact quite the opposite. I was an asset. After Bush America was ready for a radical change and how more radical than a black man in the Oval Office?

If a black mas was the lesser of 2 evils, McCain would have wiped the floor with him. The fact than McCain is a very honourable man and refused to play the race card meant that the election was a straight fight between two policies. It didn't help that McCain ran a lacklustre campaign and showed poor judgement by picking Palin who after the initial excitement she generated with that wink was seen to be an electoral liability and a special.

Cast a Shadow wrote:

azania wrote:

Cast a Shadow wrote:Truss is partially correct, in that some hate the United States for reasons unknown.

Like most people, I find xenophobia irrational and vile.

Disliking a government is another issue altogether...

I agree. But Truss seems to be inder the impression that criticising the Iraq crime is anti americanism. That is his fall back position when losing any argument (which has been often).

Not sure about that Az - there's a lot of genuine anti-American sentiment out there.

We've done more harm ourselves if you look historically, and I don't see the same hatred towards the British.

To paraphrase a T-shirt, LOVE AMERICA, HATE GEORGE W BUSH!!

I think there's a lot of contempt for Blair here. Brits can seperate the country from the people running the country. It's fair to say that Brits view politicians in the same manner they view traffic wardens. I share those sentiments.

Love the country, hate politicians.

azania wrote:

Cast a Shadow wrote:

azania wrote:

Cast a Shadow wrote:Truss is partially correct, in that some hate the United States for reasons unknown.

Like most people, I find xenophobia irrational and vile.

Disliking a government is another issue altogether...

I agree. But Truss seems to be inder the impression that criticising the Iraq crime is anti americanism. That is his fall back position when losing any argument (which has been often).

Not sure about that Az - there's a lot of genuine anti-American sentiment out there.

We've done more harm ourselves if you look historically, and I don't see the same hatred towards the British.

To paraphrase a T-shirt, LOVE AMERICA, HATE GEORGE W BUSH!!

I think there's a lot of contempt for Blair here. Brits can seperate the country from the people running the country. It's fair to say that Brits view politicians in the same manner they view traffic wardens. I share those sentiments.

Love the country, hate politicians.

Plenty of contempt for Blair here.

Illegal wars, three thousand new criminal offences, the beating of peaceful protestors and a government that made the Tories look squeaky by comparison.

The man should be on trial in the Hague - instead he's milking his favour to Bush and his buddies by making millions out of nonsense speeches.

And - MIDDLE EAST PEACE ENVOY - where the hell do you start with that?!!!

What can I say. That's some crazy $h12. I think he should be in jail with Bush and let them discuss their follies.

Watched a documentary recently that went into the lengths the police went to, backed by 'anti-terror' laws, to stop peaceful protests happening. This included quite obvious police brutality.

Remember that pensioner (and former Nazi Germany refugee) who was forcibly removed and beaten up at the Labour Conference for heckling Jack Straw? That incident sums Blair up very nicely.

Oh, and I forgot the whole economic meltdown thing, which his government egged on, then bailed out the guys who principally caused it.

Should have let the banks fail, and started again - instead Fred Goodwin got a knighthood and a 700k per year pension!!

And we're still reeling from it. Now we have a Tory govt who make cuts to the poorest and gives the rich tax breaks then claims "we're all in it together". Don't you just love politicians?

I recall Jeremy Paxman giving an interview a while back. He said that whenever he interviews he always asks himself "why is this lying barsteward lying to me". Sound knowledge and great premise to start off an interview.

Trouble with the Tories (and I don't like any of the main three parties) is they're a party loaded with people who have never experienced genuine hardship, never had to balance having practically no money with the need to indulge our vices that many of us have!!

It's so easy to say to someone who is broke that they should stop drinking, smoking or whatever, when you don't realise it is essentially the only pleasure they get.

I've been there, trying to scramble along on £600 a month, but fortunately things are a lot better than they were.

What is desparately needed to kick-start the economy is not another botched government project, but TAX CUTS SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT LOW-EARNERS. Cut taxes on alchohol, household fuel, tobacco and petrol significantly, and raise the personal allowance to about £18k. Then watch the economy grow, jobs be created and the welfare bill drop like a stone.

The key to any economy is consumer spending power.

As for Paxman, he immortalised himself with his interview of Michael Howard, didn't he?

I've only just caught this thread and it's too late in the night to trawl through reading responses. I haven't read the OP (only the title) So my apologies if this has been said already:

he's both inspirational and delusional (for obvious reasons)

How has this thread gone from a discussion about Audley Harrison, a British boxer, to America's foreign policy?

Harrison and Wilder have sparred before, Wilder's handlers wouldn't put him against Harrison if they didn't have reason to believe he will win.

Duty281 wrote:How has this thread gone from a discussion about Audley Harrison, a British boxer, to America's foreign policy?

Don't know but would suggest it needs to find its way back to Audley fairly soon.

I actually don't attach the word 'delusional' to Audley anymore, because I seriously doubt he believes what he says when he talks about reaching his destiny, fighting the Klitschkos, every defeat he's had not counting because (insert excuse here) etc.

A few years ago, I'd have said it was THE word to describe him, but I find it hard to believe that such an intelligent bloke (say what you like about him, but one thing Audley's never been is thick) could truly still believe the things spouting from his mouth in the past few years.

To be honest, I think Audley knows his Heavyweight title 'dream' has been a completely busted flush for a good few years now and just about everything he proclaims is said with one eye on maximising his earning potential in these final days of his career.

Inspirational? To a degree, yes. He's the most derided, ridiculed and lamented British Heavyweight since Bugner, but you've got to admire in some ways the fact that, despite that, he still faces the press with a big smile on his face, hasn't resorted to slagging off all and sundry (ala Larry Big Pants) and still preaches to everyone that we shouldn't give up on our goals no matter how many setbacks we endure or how many people tell us we can't.

That said, I'd find it a little easier to be inspired by him and these noble sentiments had he actually displayed them where it matters most in his profession and where it matters most in the eyes of those who he is trying to turn in to believers - in the boxing ring! Which performance of Audley's really puts in to practice the words he speaks about never giving up and facing adversity? Sprott II, yes. But apart from that, whenever Audley's had the chance to really inspire or go out in a blaze of glory, he's totally flopped, over and over and over again.

Deluded? Not anymore. Inspirational? Mildly!

i'd say a LOT of both.

no fighter can be on the wrong end of so many early KOs and be as good as audley claims to be. he simply isnt the level he thinks he is.

however i find his desire to never give up inspirational. if he faces wilder it means he's been in with everyone at domestic level (williams, sprott, rogan etc) a big hitting world champ, a huge hitting british prospect whi many at the time thought was on his way to a title, and the man who many think is the man to bring the heavyweight title back to the states.

for someone who is supposed to hate being hit and have a glass jaw, thats a decent cv. ok, he won very few...

but he is willing to step through the ropes, he obviously has heart.

I'll end the politics rants:

Every country is ran by GOVERNMENT and never just one man. The man you elect is the leader, or the face of said government. The day to day of their job is very little to do with the running of the country from their own initiative - its to give a front to the public. The only real work they do for decisions is signing bits of paper.

George Bush Jr. was just very poor at being the figurehead due to his communication issues. I think you'll find it was the Republican party that made the mistakes. Makes me laugh when I hear people say "Clinton would do better with the economy" as if Obama has sat there and devised the entire strategy for the nation himself. He sits in a HUGE conference with a lot of people considerably more intelligent than he, and together they come up with a plan - Obama delivers it publicly.

The same is true in any democracy. People think David Cameron runs the country? No, he's educated to speak to the media regarding the Conservative/Lib Dems parties majority decisions.

I'm not saying they're idiots - but they are and always will be the focal point. Without it - who do we find accountable?

Back on topic

Delusional. Man is retarded.

azania wrote:

Cast a Shadow wrote:He did in Prizefighter - looked quality (for once)...

He was fighting dross. His confidence was up. Against Wilder he will revert to type.

While they were not world class fighters most were competent and many would have had some beating Harrison.. Harrison showed he was a couple levels above them.. And thus the wilder fight being an interesting one.

I doubt it tunes. When the heat is tuned up, Audley goes missing. I like him. If his talents and heart matched his mouth he would be an ATG.

I think Audley did/does belive he is world level and he he has had the tools and pedigree to be right but he has too often under performed.. It's only in his latter years against the likes of Haye and Price where he was blasted out before then his losses were never being out classed.. He is too old now but I think he was too distracted by the fame and celeb status as well as running his own promotion and like on the F1 track you lose a tenth of a second you lose. I do not belive he was focused or driven enough but just enjoyed the life style.

At 41its too late but if he was 31 going into this for he would be a prospect...

azania wrote:I doubt it tunes. When the heat is tuned up, Audley goes missing. I like him. If his talents and heart matched his mouth he would be an ATG.

I agree, he goes in his shell but his last fight looked better.. I thinkif wilder is the real deal then it wwon't go far but he might get exposed if Audley turns up and takes him iI to a fight he had not yet been in....

tunes666 wrote:

azania wrote:I doubt it tunes. When the heat is tuned up, Audley goes missing. I like him. If his talents and heart matched his mouth he would be an ATG.

I agree, he goes in his shell but his last fight looked better.. I thinkif wilder is the real deal then it wwon't go far but he might get exposed if Audley turns up and takes him iI to a fight he had not yet been in....

Price wasn't the real deal and look what happened. I fear the same with Wilder. Audley may have the skill to beat him but not the self belief to do so.

i think harrisons prizefighter win was largely due to his size difference, as well as been lucky in the draw, wilder has a few wins to show he isn't a complete fake (mansel/price) so i think he will mow audley over in 2-3 rounds

I just dont think you can have the pro career Audley has had and claim to have really had world class potential but for whatever excuse one wants to venture. Even the great wasted talents or lazy fighters have had that one or two really great fight or performance that glimpses the potential a la something like Laing v Duran or Douglas v Tyson. What does Audley have? Prizefighter and maybe a decent win over Danny Williams.