16.04.06 – By Karen Belford: Audley Harrison (19-2, 14 KOs), who I still personally feel is one of the best heavyweights in the division, has decided to continue on with his career rather than retire, according to the latest news from the BBC. I can’t tell you all how happy I am to receive this news, since I still think that the 34-year-old Harrison has the ability to make a mark in the heavyweight division, despite his recent bad luck with his two loses.. Yes, I realize that there are a lot of people out there hating him right now but I think some of that is from mean spirited jealousy, largely because of his Olympic credentials and his impressive physical size.
As much as people dislike Harrison, he isn’t going away anytime soon and I fully expect for him to rebound in the 2nd half of this year and be ready to challenge for a title, hopefully against someone like Wladimir Klitschko, if he is lucky enough to beat Chris Byrd. First, though, Audley has to get a new trainer, which I personally hope will be Emanuel Steward, who specializes in training big heavyweights.
Look what Steward did for fighters like Lennox Lewis, not to mention Wladimir Klitschko. Does anyone here really think Wladimir would have been able to defeat Samuel Peter if Steward hadn’t taught the younger Klitschko how to fight? Face it, Steward is the best and he is exactly what Harrison needs to get to the next level. Keep in mind, I still think Audley could get there without Steward because he’s an intelligent fighter, who learns from his mistakes, believe me. However, it would make things a little easier, though. Hopefully, Steward comes to Audley’s aid, since he no doubt is probably feeling kind of down right about now. If not Steward, then Audley needs Teddy Atlas. I think he could get all the ability out of Harrison and then some. That guy doesn’t take any back talk and he knows what he’s doing.
I know, the perception is that Harrison is finished after his disappointing loss to Guinn. However, people who think that obviously didn’t see the fight. Anyone with eyes could see that Audley was waiting, and trying to set a trap for Guinn, hoping to land a big pile driver left hand. I guess the plan backfired, since by the time he finally realized that he couldn’t trap Guinn, the fight was almost over. That being said, Audley will never make this mistake a gain, believe me, never. Next time, he will go right after his opponent, whoever it may be, and come out landing lead left hands and huge uppercuts. Forget about the jab, Audley has the best uppercut in the division and his left hand is second to none. He just needs to start fighting with more aggression and he’ll be okay. However, if all goes back to having the right trainer because without that, he won’t make it the top of the mountain.
In any case, with one or two easy victories over fighters, such as Sam Peter and Calvin Brock, I think Harrison will be ready to take on Wladimir for his IBF belt. That is, if Wladimir is willing to take on Harrison, because he might end up hesitant after he sees the new Harrison in action come later on this year.