Saturday, April 10, 2010

Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, London, England

Vacant EBU (European) Heavyweight Title: 12 Rounds

Audley Harrison, 26-4 (19 KOs), London, England.

Vs.

Michael Sprott, 32-14 (17 KOs), Reading, Berkshire, England.

Fight Odds: Audley Harrison (-260), Michael Sprott (+200)

Preview: Two of Britain’s better heavyweights will collide for the vacant European title on Saturday in London. Both men are mainstays on the domestic scene, having both achieved success on the domestic stage. Audley Harrison, the 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist at super-heavyweight, has been a large disappointment, while Sprott has made his living as an overachiever in the sport.

Harrison is perhaps the least successful super-heavyweight gold medallist ever. Normally, the gold medal winner in that class goes on to big things, with the possible exception of Tyrell Biggs and Cuban Roberto Balado, who passed away at a young age. Fans have become conditioned to expect the Olympic champion from that weight class to become a factor, in the vein of Lennox Lewis or Wladimir Klitschko.

There was no reason to not expect the same from Harrison—a prodigiously gifted fighter with enormous physical gifts. At 6’5” and a mind-boggling reach of 86 inches, he looked like he could be the next big thing. Then we saw him in the ring and something was missing. He lacked the fire, focus, grit, and desire to take his career to the world-class level, struggling with fighters on the domestic level. He started out well, putting together a nice unbeaten streak, while slowly increasing the level of his opposition.

Harrison then ran into tough Danny Williams, dropping a tight decision. In his next fight, he lost a clear decision to hot-and-cold fringe contender Dominick Guinn. Future champion don’t lose to fighters like this, so it was the first signs that Audley may not be up to snuff for future world honors. To his credit, a 3^rd round knockout of Williams in their rematch restored a little faith, though Williams is such an enigmatic performer that you never know what you’re going to get with him from one night to the next. Any newfound faith in Harrison was dashed when Michael Sprott stopped him in 3 rounds in 2007. Harrison again dusted himself off, but his run appeared to come to an end when he dropped a close one to the tough but unrefined Martin Rogan.

Michael Sprott has had an interesting career. He started off well, before taking a series of losses. He was taken lightly even on a domestic level, but he managed to spring a number of upset results, including his stoppage win over the favored Harrison. The tough Sprott has also scored a win over Danny Williams and a slew of other tough fighters on the European level. At 35, he appears to be slowing down a bit, however. Perhaps he has reached the end of his overachieving ways. Since beating Harrison, he has dropped 4 of 6 fights, with both wins coming against sub-.500 fighters.

Harrison appeared to be finished. He was apparently more interested in playing poker in Las Vegas. He’s a pretty good player, actually. Nevertheless, he returned in October of last year to participate in the Prizefighter Heavyweight Tournament, a one-night affair where he faced 3 different fighters and beat them all. For a fighter of 38 who has been written off so thoroughly, it was somewhat impressive. Something happens to many fighters when they see the light at the end of the tunnel that makes them redouble their efforts. Is it possible that Harrison, realizing he has run out of tomorrows, can get his head together to match his championship-caliber body and make one last run?

Prediction: Sprott knows how to beat Harrison, as he has done it before. I feel that Harrison will be a bit more urgent this time and that there has been some erosion to Sprott’s form over the past few years. Harrison should be able to use his length to create a desirable working distance for him during the majority of the bout. You can never be sure with Harrison. When you mention his name to British fans, the idea of underachieving and disappointment are the first feelings that come up. He has basically managed to extract almost zero glory out of a career that seemed destined to go places. Be that as it may, I think he wins this fight, probably by decision, though a late stoppage would not be terribly surprising.

Bet: Lay the –260 on Audley Harrison to win.

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