15.04.08 – by James Slater: Olympic gold medallist Audley “A-Force” Harrison makes a return to the boxing ring this Saturday, on the under-card of the huge Bernard Hopkins-Joe Calzaghe showdown. According to Box-rec.com, Harrison’s opponent will be 32 year old Ed Perry of Lafayette, Indiana..
Perry has a decent record against low level opposition. Having gained a 12-4-2(6) record in a career than began back in September of 2004, Perry has been in with a few recognisable names – losing to all of them. Polish heavyweight, Przemyslaw Saleta out-pointed him over six rounds in early 2006, and before then Perry was out-scored over four rounds by former Olympian and current unbeaten prospect Devin Vargas. The 32 year old has no wins over anybody of note. The good news, however, is the fact that Perry has never once been stopped. He has also been active, with five bouts to his name last year (three wins, one draw, one loss), therefore he should be able to at least give Harrison a few rounds of work.
As a return fight opponent, Perry is not too bad a choice for the once highly touted Harrison. Needing very much a confidence boost after what happened to him in his last fight (TKO by 3, Michael Sprott) the 36 year old southpaw with the 21-3(16) record was never going to come back after over year out against anybody too formidable, was he? So Audley goes in with Perry and it will be interesting to see how the fans take to him. Will the once boastful Harrison be jeered when he gets in the ring? Will Audley be affected by this if he is?
We really don’t know just what Harrison has left, or if he is even dead serious about achieving something as a pro anymore. It’s hard to believe the almost royal treatment “A-Force” was given in the U.K back when he began his pro fighting days. Expected by many to become a big player on the heavyweight scene, Harrison instead managed just one impressive win – the 3rd round stoppage of fellow Brit Danny Williams. Now, at a relatively advanced age, Harrison tries again.
A win over Perry – and if he cannot get one the game is well and truly over – will not tell us much, but we will be able to tell more by the length of time it takes for Harrison to get back in the ring after Saturday. If he’s truly determined to salvage something from his career Audley will be back – indeed, should be back – in no more than a month or so at the most. Time really is running out on him, a fact he and his promoter Frank Warren are all too aware of.
It’s way too early to tell yet, but Audley Harrison may, just may, go on to do something yet. Look for him to become the first to stop Perry and get the ball rolling again this Saturday in Vegas.