London,
England. 20th June 2004. Audley Harrison retained his WBF heavyweight
title last night with an unpopular ninth round stoppage of the previously
unbeaten Tomasz Bonin. The Polish challenger surprised many in the
opening two rounds, scoring with regularity with both hands despite Harrison's
big reach advantage. In the third however, a big left hook over the top
of Bonin's guard sent the Pole spiralling to the ropes, Harrison unloaded
but Bonin weathered the storm until the bell. In the middle rounds, Harrison
worked more with his southpaw jab, but Bonin also saw success with right-hand
counters and stung the Olympic champion with a three-punch combination
in the seventh. By the ninth Harrison looked to step up a gear scoring
clean with two right uppercuts and a left hook which momentarilly buckled
the legs of Bonin. A further five punch barrage went unanswered by Bonin,
resulting in referee John Keane to step in and wave it off. The decision
wasnt received well by the crowd who jeered in frustration as Bonin showed
he had plenty of fight left in him, running around the ring before leaping
onto a corner post. However, Olympic champion Harrison defended the referee's
decision to halt the contest after 29-year-old Bonin had come under severe
pressure. "He is a guy who came in at 26 and 0 and he did not want to lose
his record," Harrison said. "The referee sees the action. He is the third
man in the ring and sees what he sees. He was very definitely hurt and
turned away from the referee so, yes, he was definitely right to make the
decision." Harrison was ahead on the scorecards of all three judges, leading
78-75 and 77-76 twice at the time of the stoppage.
.
SKELTON
RETAINS COMMONWEALTH CROWN
Bethnal Green,
England. 6th June 2004. It wasnt pretty but Matt Skelton extended
his record to 14-0 after pounding Australian Bob Mirovic into submission
at end of the fourth round of their Commonwealth heavyweight title fight
at York Hall, Bethnal Green, last night. Mirovic, the former Australian
champion had been down twice but was still making a decent argument of
it when he quit at the end of the fourth. In his corner trainer Angelo
Hyder urged Mirovic to continue but the 39-year-old Australian champ was
having none of it. Mirovic certainly had his moments and looked to shake
the British champ on a couple of occasions. It was Skelton however, who
put the pressure on in the fourth round and by the end of the round Mirovic
looked spent. Skelton was making the first defence of the Commonwealth
crown which he captured just seven weeks earlier with a 12th-round stoppage
of Michael Sprott at Reading. On that occasion, Skelton had also seized
the British title as well. Now ranked No 3 in Europe, the Bedford fighter
is hungrily eyeing the European title held by Luan Krasniqi.
.
SKELTON LIFTS
BRITISH TITLE
Reading, 24th
April 2004. Matt Skelton became British and Commonwealth heavyweight
champion by stopping Michael Sprott in the 12th and final round
in Reading on Saturday. Skelton captured the belt after converting to boxing
from K-1 martial arts just 19 months ago. It has been a rapid rise for
Skelton, who says he is 35 but may be 37, and he tore into Sprott from
the opening bell. The 28-year-old Sprott had no answer for Skelton's direct
approach and has now lost seven times in 32 fights. Skelton, from Bedford,
paid tribute to the "unbelievable support" he had from his fans and said
he was overwhelmed at clinching the British title. "I wanted it badly and
I have to pinch myself that I've got it," he said. Skelton felt his aggressive
approach to the fight had been the right one. "I knew Michael Sprott had
a lot more experience than me and I sat down with my team and discussed
how to approach it," he said. "I knew I'd have to bully the fight and that's
what I've done." Going into the final round, both fighters appeared to
realise they might need a big last session and it was Skelton who summoned
up the reserves for one big attack. After just 56 seconds of the round,
he knocked Sprott to the floor and when the champion clambered to his feet
at the count of nine referee Richie Davies ruled it was all over. Skeltonis
now looking to challenge Luan Krasniqi the current European champ. Skelton
said: "Experience is one thing I am not going to get. I am not hanging
around and I'm not ducking anyone."
.
HARRISON LIFTS
WBF CROWN
London, England.
21st March 2004. Audley Harrison claimed the WBF world heavyweight
title last night with a fourth-round knockout over Richel "The Dutch
Sonny Liston" Hersisia at the Wembley Arena. Hersisia had his moments
in the first two rounds, stalking the tall Brit and landing with right
hooks, but by the third Harrison's commanding jab opened a cut over the
Dutchman's left eye. Harrison rose a gear from then on and unleashed a
series of combinations to the defending champion. A further right-left
combo in the fourth and an uppercut under the Dutchman's guard dropped
Hersisia for the count with a minute remaining in the round. It was Hersisia's
first loss in 22 fights. "I am moving into the Premiership and I believe
I can reach the top." said Harrison, who is now 15-0(11) as a pro. Lennox
Lewis the recently retired former champion was at ringside and optimistic
about Harrison's future. "The combinations he threw to take this guy were
unbelievable." said Lewis. "I thought he did great. He worked it out for
the first couple of rounds and once he did that he took this guy out and
that is what we want to see," he added. Harrison, who won gold in the Sydney
Olympics indicated a return to a British ring in the coming months. (PHOTO:
MR
WILL)
.
HARRISON STOPS
NIX IN THREE
Laughlin, NV
(December 12, 2003) – Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison drove
his record to 14-0 (10 KOs) with an emphatic victory over Brian Nix
in his first 10-round bout in Laughlin, Nevada tonight, in the main event
on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights. Harrison displayed a strong right jab and
kept Nix at a safe distance, while staying undefeated. The 2000 Olympic
Super Heavyweight champion landed three left uppercuts to put the tough
veteran on the canvas at 1:41 in third round of the bout. Harrison, who
displayed a stiff right jab as a left handed heavyweight, became the main
event of the evening, after Tokumbo Olajide fell out when he came ill.
Harrison was interviewed live on the show immediately following his fight
and had this to say about his performance. “In the first two rounds
I was trying to use my jab and working on keeping him at range,” said Harrison.
“In the third round I wanted to show something different and use the other
things I have been working to put him away.” Harrison added. “I was
being a bit merciful in the first two rounds but took advantage of my full
arsenal early in the third round to demonstrate my dominance.” Harrison
will go home to his native England before returning to the United States
in early 2004 to continue his assault on the heavyweight division. “Back
in the UK, there are a few domestic rivals that have been calling me, such
as Danny Williams,” said Harrison. “Politics aside, I would like
to contest for the British title next year, as well as keep busy in America
with the other up and coming heavyweight contenders. “As a professional
you haven’t seen the best of Audley Harrison yet. I am on course,
still learning and getting better in the professional game with each fight.
As everyone can see, I have the talent, continue to make a statement and
truly believe that I will be the heavyweight champion of the world within
the next two years.” (KELLY SWANSON)
.
SKELTON GATHERS
MOMENTUM
Edinburgh, Scotland.
26th October 2003. Bedford Heavyweight Matt Skelton threw his hat
into the British championship mix with a notable three round destruction
job of Serbian, Ratko Draskovic last night in Edinburgh. Skelton,
managed by Eugene Maloney and Frank Warren was having his seventh fight
this year and came out strong in the first round delivering strong jabs
and looping right hands over the top to his opponent. It wasnt until the
second however when Skelton had the Serbian wobbling from chopping right
hands. A series of hooks to the body an an uppercut to the head dropped
Draskovic on the bell at the end of the second and more punishment and
another knockdown in the third prompted the referee to jump in and wave
the bout off midway through the round. Draskovic, who had in the past extended
a number of good names namely Audley Harrison and Sinan Samil Sam was delivered
his first stoppage loss of his thirteen year career. I wasnt trying to
prove a point" said Skelton, on asked how the stoppage compared with Audley
Harrison distance victory over Draskovic. "If the knockout would come,
it would come" he added. Frank Maloney indicated that the ideal match would
be against Audley Harrison but expressed doubt as to whether Harrison would
return from the US and take such a fight.
.
SPROTT STOPS
UNBEATEN KENNA
Bethnal Green,
England. 2nd August 2003. Reading's Michael Sprott lined himself
up with another crack at British champ Danny Williams at the weekend with
an impressive showing against the previously unbeaten Colin Kenna.
How Kenna, who is from Dublin, Ireland was eligible for the southern area
title shot on the night is a mystery, but the difference in quality was
clearly evident the moment Sprott landed his first meaningful shot. A follow
up left hand bomb from Sprott dropped Kenna who was soon after waved off
after just 1:28 of the opening round. The win means Sprott rises to 23-5(13)
and will meet Brixton’s Keith Long in a British heavyweight title final
eliminator on September 26. Sprott had failed in his last British title
stint in February 2002, when after a promising start was stopped by Danny
Williams in seven rounds. Since then he amassed a winning streak of eight
successes, with six by knockout. On the undercard at Bethnal Hall, Mark
Krence outboxed journeyman Derek McCafferty over four rounds to rise to
17-1. Krence's only loss came at the hands of Olympic champion Audely Harrison
in May 2002. (PHOTO: MR WILL)
.
A-FORCE RETURNS
TO SYDNEY
London, England.
3rd June 2003. Audley Harrison’s Business Manager, Hazel Bruno-Gilbert
today announced that the Olympic Gold Medallist’s next fight will be in
Sydney, Australia on Wednesday 6th August. Harrison’s eight round contest,
against an opponent to be announced shortly, will be the chief support
bout to the highly anticipated Anthony Mundine vs. Antwan Echols WBA Super
Middleweight Title fight, and will be shown on tape delay on the BBC. Bruno-Gilbert
commented, “Audley was victorious in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, when he
bought home Britain’s first gold medal in boxing for 32 years. He’s
excited that he’s got the opportunity to return down under and showcase
his talents as an 11-0 undefeated professional”. Tony Mundine the show’s
promoter said, “It’s the first time that Australia will have a future Heavyweight
Champion fighting on a great undercard. To have him as chief support
is an honour and a privilege and can only be extremely beneficial for this
ground breaking promotion”. Harrison will be heading over to Big Bear,
California shortly to begin his intensive training under the watchful eye
of Thell Torrence. He will head to Sydney 10 days before the bout.
.
WILLIAMS RETAINS
COMMONWEALTH CROWN
Brentford, England.
27th April 2003. Danny Williams returned to winning ways last night
with a four round stoppage of Australian challenger, Bob Mirovic.
British and Commonwealth champion Williams, coming off a loss to European
heavyweight champion Sinan Samil Sam in Germany in February, retained his
Commonwealth title after 20 unanswered punches to Mirovic forced referee
John Keane to jump in and rescue the huge Aussie. Williams, who had shed
13 pounds since the Sam setback to weigh in at 17 stone 7 pounds conceded
19 pounds to his opponent but, after struggling in the opening stages,
he turned that to his advantage. Mirovic had bulldozed him around the ring,
clubbing him with punches from both hands. In the third round, a Mirovic
left hook caught Williams on the chin, causing the Brits legs to momentarily
wobble and forced him to hold on. But, he responded by coming out behind
his jab in round four to impose his undoubted superior ability on the contest.
Williams was not altogether satisfied with his own performance. "I was
struggling to get my shots off but I turned it round to find the finish.
"Mentally I don't think I had a problem with it after the last fight. He
was a tough opponent and he caught me with a few big lefts. He shook me
with some very good shots," said Williams who has his sights set on a rematch
with Samil Sam.
.
BRUNO "MUST EARN"
HARRISON BOUT
London, England.
14th April 2003. Frank Bruno has been told he has to earn the right
to face Audley Harrison by proving he is a worthy challenger. Bruno
wants a £10million comeback bout against Harrison at Upton Park.
But Harrison's manager Colin McMillan believes Bruno will need warm-up
fights before facing his man. "It is definitely a fight that would generate
an awful lot of interest," said McMillan. "But first of all Bruno would
have to have a couple of warm-up bouts to prove he is capable of fighting
again at a high level. "Bruno is talking about a one-off but I don't think
he would be able to walk straight back into a fight against someone of
Audley's calibre. "George Foreman made his comeback at the same age as
Frank but didn't go back in right at the top. "Instead he fought a string
of guys before winning the world title again some three years later." McMillan
believes Bruno's health may be a stumbling block, and said: "Don't forget,
the reason Bruno retired after losing to Mike Tyson was because he had
a detached retina. "That must also be proved to be cleared up - it's not
a sensible move to come back and jeopardise your health."
.
HARRISON DECISIONS
DRASKOVIC TO GO 10-0
London, England.
30th March 2003. Audley Harrison notched up his tenth professional
victory last night with a points victory over Ratko Draskovic at
the Wembley Conference Centre. The Olympic gold medalist took an 80-73
points verdict from referee Paul Thomas after going eight rounds for the
first time against the Balkan heavyweight champion. Draskovic was down
breifly in the sixth round when, after being cought by a Harrison counter
but rose to his feet to take the standing eight count. The Serbian weathered
barrages in the closing two rounds as Harrison upped a gear, seeking a
stoppage in the closing stages. The performance marked a clear improvement
in Harrison's jab and workrate though pundits called for a jump in opposition
to allow the boxing world to really assess the Olympian's credibility.
"I've had all the criticism, taken it and I am on track to achieve what
I want to achieve," said Harrison. "The guy has never been stopped and
I felt good in there. Mention any of the best heavyweight prospects in
the world and I have got to be up there with them. "I thought this was
my hardest fight to date, but I caught him with some good shots, especially
in the third and then in the sixth round. "He was just one of those guys
you can keep hitting and he will stay there for ever. He was very durable."
A noteable step up will happen in Audley's next fight when he meets fellow
British contender Matthew Ellis. The Blackpool man enjoyed a undercard
victory over Derek McCafferty and is a former ABA champion.
London,
England. 20th June 2004. Audley Harrison retained his WBF heavyweight
title last night with an unpopular ninth round stoppage of the previously
unbeaten Tomasz Bonin. The Polish challenger surprised many in the
opening two rounds, scoring with regularity with both hands despite Harrison's
big reach advantage. In the third however, a big left hook over the top
of Bonin's guard sent the Pole spiralling to the ropes, Harrison unloaded
but Bonin weathered the storm until the bell. In the middle rounds, Harrison
worked more with his southpaw jab, but Bonin also saw success with right-hand
counters and stung the Olympic champion with a three-punch combination
in the seventh. By the ninth Harrison looked to step up a gear scoring
clean with two right uppercuts and a left hook which momentarilly buckled
the legs of Bonin. A further five punch barrage went unanswered by Bonin,
resulting in referee John Keane to step in and wave it off. The decision
wasnt received well by the crowd who jeered in frustration as Bonin showed
he had plenty of fight left in him, running around the ring before leaping
onto a corner post. However, Olympic champion Harrison defended the referee's
decision to halt the contest after 29-year-old Bonin had come under severe
pressure. "He is a guy who came in at 26 and 0 and he did not want to lose
his record," Harrison said. "The referee sees the action. He is the third
man in the ring and sees what he sees. He was very definitely hurt and
turned away from the referee so, yes, he was definitely right to make the
decision." Harrison was ahead on the scorecards of all three judges, leading
78-75 and 77-76 twice at the time of the stoppage. 
