British Scene: Audley Harrison vs Michael Sprott Preview

Dave Oakes previews Friday's vacant European heavyweight title match-up between Audley Harrison and Michael Sprott.

Delusions can be a great form of escapism from the mundanities of life, but they’re only really enjoyable when your sanity stops you from fully believing what your mind wants you to. Unfortunately Audley Harrison’s overactive mind has gone beyond the realms of sanity; he seems to think that he’s the saviour of heavyweight boxing, a major household name and an entertaining personality who’s full of witticisms that have journalists drooling at the mouth.

How very wrong he is. Every word that comes from his mouth is nothing more than ludicrous narcissism that leaves people worrying about his mental state. To say Audley loves himself would be a massive understatement; if he was made of chocolate he would’ve eaten himself years ago.

Harrison faces Michael Sprott this Friday for the vacant European title, and whilst it’s an intriguing rematch, I’ve despised the build-up to it. Harrison’s mouth has been in overdrive yet again as he tries to convince anyone who’s daft enough to listen that he’s going to be a world champion by the end of the year. It’s fair to say that I’m sick of hearing this drivel every time Harrison is due to fight.

When Harrison turned pro in 2001 he proclaimed that he would win the British title inside five fights. Nine years and thirty fights later and he still hasn’t fought for the British title let alone won it. He hasn’t even got a decent win on his 26-4 record, the highlight of which is a third round knockout win over a fat Danny Williams who took the fight at three days notice.

Harrison was dominating the first meeting between himself and Sprott before he got knocked out by a sledgehammer of a left hook in the third round. The knockout was one of the best of 2007 and looked to have brought an end to Harrison’s career. Harrison did manage to get a shot at the Commonwealth title just over a year ago but blew it with a spectacularly negative display to allow Martin Rogan to outwork him.

Sprott, 32-14 (17KO’s), is a former British and Commonwealth champion. Unlike Harrison, Sprott has made the most of the skills he’s got; he’s also the more natural fighter of the two and is more willing to take chances.

Sprott is 35 years of age and is past his best, but he’s three years younger than Harrison and still looks to be in good shape. He’s lost four of six fights since their first meeting but has been matched hard in them. He’s coming off a first round knockout win over Werner Kreiskott, a fight that happened only three weeks ago.

Harrison has won five of six fights since their first meeting but hasn’t fought anyone of any note apart from the Rogan defeat. He did well to win the Prizefighter tournament in October of last year but that was against limited opposition and isn’t a great indicator as to how he’ll react to fighting in a twelve rounder against someone he’s already been levelled by.

I feel Harrison is the fresher fighter and should be viewed as the favourite to win the title, but with his lack of heart, chin and willpower it might not go as he plans. If Harrison boxes as cautiously as I believe he will, I think he’ll edge a close points decision in what could be a dreadful fight to watch. Hopefully he’ll be made to trade punches at some point, if that does happen, a knockout either way is very likely.

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