22.02.07 – Firstly, I would like to say congratulations to Michael for his victory. To my fans, and anyone who cares for my well being, although I am disappointed to have lost, I am physically and mentally OK. As fighters, we aim to inflict maximum damage on our opponents, but at the end of the day it is a sport with a winner and a loser. The punch (of which I obviously didn’t see!) was a great shot, landed flush and it was sweet goodnight. But as Michael’s expressions showed, it was not in tune with the fight till then and it can be argued it was a lucky shot to some degree.
But that is boxing and no excuses; I ignored the cardinal rule of boxing, and paid the ultimate price (hands up at all times, or at least when in range).
After knocking him down and having such a good first round, I lost focus and went forward rather than sticking to the game plan. I dropped my hands to open him up, hoping to land a clean shot that would send him home. I was sinking in body shots to help soften him up and although he rushed me a bit in the 2nd round I felt it was just a matter of time before I landed a telling blow. (I broke the other rule of boxing here – don’t look for the knockout as it won’t come.)
That is pretty much it, plain and simple. I could mention many things that went wrong in camp or how I was feeling after the high of the Williams win, but it’s irrelevant as I got in there and was good enough to win.
Once again, the papers and critics are out in force, which is understandable and I almost can see their point that my career appears over. But we are talking about ME here and maybe I am delusional or just plain crazy, but I feel determined (maybe more so now) to rectify this loss and move on in my career.
God is great, I feel focused and positive and I know my career is not over. Despite Michael Sprott saying no rematch, we all know how the business works, and if it makes commercial sense, I’m sure we will fight again. Boxing is full of the rematches/grudge matches. To highlight my point, Matt Skelton has already stopped Sprott, yet they are fighting again in May.
In the meantime, I will rest, recharge my batteries and chill out. When I go back to the gym I will iron out my mistakes and bounce back. I believe just like Danny Williams, who can go from the loss to me to another championship fight, I am ready, willing and able to step right back in there at championship level. I train hard and am comfortable with the idea of getting straight back in there. I have lost no confidence from this defeat and will continue to believe in myself and stay focused to deliver next time round.
Although, I’ve heard comments made by Frank Warren and others regarding my ability to attract an audience in the future, I am sure the paying public will be curious to see this crazy guy whose career is effectively over, trying to kid himself, getting in there with nothing left but ego and fools pride. And the question is; how will it end? Will it be as the papers say or will I rise from the ashes once more to deliver on my promises?
I truly feel blessed with my life and although I lost the fight, I won’t lose the lesson.
Peace
Audley A-Force Harrison – www.audleyharrison.com