06.12.06 – By Tim Nielson: Danny Williams (36-5, 29 KO’s) will be stepping in against former Olympic Super Heavyweight champion Audley Harrison (20-2, 15 KO’s) on Saturday night at the ExCel Arena, in London, England. Harrison, 35, originally was scheduled to fight Commonwealth heavyweight champion Matt Skelton, but he forced to back out of the fight after injuring his hand while training for the bout. With only a weeks notice, Williams, 33, agreed to fight Harrison.
This bout, in effect, may actually turn out to be a more interesting bout than Harrison-Skelton, considering that Williams defeated Harrison by 12-round split decision, just a year ago, in December 2005. The defeat was considered somewhat of a shocking upset, as the giant 6’5″ Harrison was expected the breeze past Williams, whom had been recently destroyed in 8 brutal rounds by Ukrainian heavyweight Vitali Klitschko, a year earlier in December 2004.
However, instead of following Vitali’s blue print of bombing the shorter, 6’1″, 270 lb. Williams from the outside, Harrison was oddly reluctant to throw punches, almost as if he was terrified of getting hit in return. Still, however, Harrison was able to pile up a small lead on score cards going into the 11th round, when he was suddenly knocked down by a big right hand by Williams. Though Harrison was able to continue fighting, he was in the survival mode for the remaining of the bout.
Since that time, both fighters have had their share of bad luck. Harrison seemed especially troubled after the defeat by Williams, as he seemed listless in his following bout, losing a 10-round decision over Dominic Guinn in April 2006. Again, it wasn’t as if Harrison was being beaten around the ring, but rather, he just wouldn’t let his hands go, like he was afraid to tire himself out.
This leads me to speculate as to whether Harrison has been training hard enough for his recent bouts, for if he’s afraid to tire himself out, it would indicate that he’s perhaps not sparring enough. However, in the 10th and final round, when Harrison suddenly turned it on and started throwing punches, he had Guinn stunned and ready to go. Unfortunately, Harrison waited too long before making his final surge, otherwise he might had a good chance of stopping Guinn.
Harrison, though getting on in age, at 35, he still has a lot of potential as a heavyweight contender. He’s huge, and fights from the southpaw stance, and has an excellent left uppercut and stinging right jab. With those kinds of weapons, he has the potential to dominate the heavyweight division, if he could only learn to use them. Instead, he tends to hold back, waiting too long before using his offensive arsenal.
Whatever the case, many of Audley’s fans have lost patience with him, giving up on him at this point, thinking that he will never realize his vast potential. Of course, it’s never too late, and he could surprise some people, but if history is any indicator of future actions, it wouldn’t seem likely.
Look for Williams to take the fight to Harrison, backing up the taller fighter with big right hands. While I can see Harrison sneaking in an occasional left uppercut, I expect him to lose by another 12-round decision. In the process, Harrison will likely get knocked down once or twice, and look bad throughout.
Prediction: Williams by 12-round decision.