09.12.06 – By Neil Goodman: This evenings Frank Warren promotion originally boasted not one, but two main event bouts and an expansive undercard. The last few weeks have taken a toll on the bouts schedule. First, the fight between Skelton and Harrison fell by the wayside; with Skelton pulling out through injury. Then to compound Warren’s woes, Scott Harrison pulled the plug on the eagerly anticipated bout between the former WBO featherweight champion and Nicky Cooke..
Not a great set of circumstances; but, as saying goes ‘Worse things happen at sea’. Danny Williams has now stepped in to face previous opponent Audley Harrison, so at least one of main events has been salvaged.
So what are we to make of Harrison V Williams II?
Well, to be brutally honest, the first fight was an anticlimax! Whilst Harrison seemed almost scared to let his hands go for fear of reprisal, Danny fought in slow-mo for much of the fight. As has increasingly become the case, Williams came into the ring carrying too much weight and as a result could not sustain his attacks.
The last fight was close on the scorecards after 12 rounds, which must have made the outcome even more frustrating for Harrison. Once he played back the tape of the fight he must have kicked himself for not at least ‘giving it go’. Harrison had the quicker hands and feet, but he just did not put anything together. Round after round he allowed himself to be backed up and insult was added to injury when Williams dumped him on the canvas in round ten.
Tonight’s fight Harrison is not truly do or die. The Sydney Olympics are becoming a distant memory and having also lost to Dominic Guinn, the premise of A-Force becoming a major heavyweight player (for all his talent) is becoming harder and harder to sell.
So how are tonight’s events likely to unfold? Bizarre as it may seem, the change of opponent from Skelton to Williams may actually favour Harrison. Skelton is more than a handful for most fighters and it hard to see how Harrison was going to navigate around the obstacle of the Bedford brawler. But now Harrison is facing a known commodity, he can also draw strength from the knowledge that he took Williams best shot last time out and managed to fight back strongly in the last two rounds.
The most important piece of the jigsaw is maybe the fact that Williams is coming in at late notice. Danny has told us he was in serious training, waiting for the call, for a big fight. The proof of this pudding will be in the eating. Harrison has had plenty of notice for this fight, so with regards to his preparation he can have no excuses.
Motivation wise it is to close call; clearly if Audley can not put in a rousing performance this time around the game will be up. Of course he can continue to ply his trade and maybe even spring the odd surprise along the way, but Harrison has always wanted more than that. One of his main problems is that, having spent much of his time in the States, the British public have never warmed to him. For the Williams camp, another win over Harrison, will bring great satisfaction and the possibility of another title shot in the New Year is not beyond the boundaries of belief.
This time out Harrison is the favourite with the bookies; if he can get off to a good start and hold his ground in the opening rounds, then maybe, just maybe we can start to see him fulfil some of the potential he showed the world six years ago.