By James Slater: Tonight, on the under-card of the Amir Khan-Breidis Prescott fight in Manchester, heavyweight hopeful Audley Harrison won an unimpressive ten-round decision over Brazilian veteran George Arios. Sole scoring official, referee John Keane, scored the fight as a wide win for 36-year-old southpaw Harrison, by a margin of 98-92. However, in improving to 23-3 (17) “A-force” proved virtually nothing.
34-year-old Arios, who was given a huge round of applause by the British crowd, fell to 41-11(29).
Despite taking the fight on short notice, Arios was in good shape at a solid 212 pounds. Audley, far bigger, almost ludicrously so, also looked trim at 250 pounds. Unfortunately, however, despite his Adonis-like physique, it was again the same old Audley Harrison. Pawing with his right jab, looking uncomfortable in there and more than a touch easy to hit to the head, the former Olympian was given a run for his money by a much smaller heavyweight.
Clipped throughout by left uppercuts to the head, as well as landing the same punch back, Harrison was soon being booed mercilessly by the fans in attendance. A right hand to the head wobbled Harrison in the 3rd, and the crowd cheered the Brazilian. Audley did some good body work at times, he let loose with eye-catching combinations and he jabbed with at least some authority also, but overall it was another poor display. Just not looking like a man who enjoys fighting, Harrison let his smaller rival back him up and get close to do his own work.
At times Arios definitely out-worked the 36-year-old who still feels he can become world champion, and had a bigger hitter been in the ring with him tonight, Harrison would have been in trouble. Later claiming he dropped his hands so as to get the tucked up Arios to drop his own guard, Harrison took some chances and was caught a number of times as a result. He was never overly hurt, but he shouldn’t have been against a former cruiserweight.
Arios was never in danger of going down either, and the fight dragged on for the full 10 rounds. It wasn’t the worst fight to watch, but the feeling was if only Audley had jumped right on his man and kept it going, he would have got himself a quick win. Sadly, “A-Force” hasn’t the self belief to do this – not even against a guy he out-weighs by almost 40 pounds.
Deafening boos were to be heard as the final bell rang, and though he won his second comeback fight since being KO’d by Michael Sprott, Harrison convinced no-one he is going anywhere at world level. As frustrating to watch as always, big Audley won himself no new fans.