Audley Harrison Demolished By Michael Sprott

Audley Harrison’s world title dream was reduced to rubble as British rival Michael Sprott demolished the former Olympic champion with the punch of his life at Wembley Arena.

Harrison’s ambitions of turning Olympic gold into world title glory now look indelibly damaged.

Sprott, a huge underdog, provided a spectacular and conclusive finish as he threw a huge left swing which landed flush on the unguarded jaw of the 6ft 5ins Harrison at the end of the third round.

Audley crashed to the canvas and referee Ian John-Lewis, instantly realising he was badly hurt, did not even take up the count.

The referee removed Harrison’s gum shield, immediately summoning medical help and it was several minutes before the badly-shaken Harrison was assisted to his feet and helped back to his corner on wobbly legs.

Harrison had revived his ailing career, following successive defeats by Danny Williams and American fringe contender Dominick Guinn when he sensationally destroyed Williams in their December re-match across London at the ExCel Arena.

But that performance merely flattered to deceive and, at 35 years of age, it is unlikely there will be a third coming for the now very much spent “A-force”.

Promoter Frank Warren had promised the winner a May showdown with Commonwealth champion Matt Skelton to find the best of British heavyweights to go on to a challenge for one of the four versions of the world title.

But that opportunity will now fall to 32-year-old fighter Sprott, who has paid his dues fighting across Europe in a 10- year career which had seen him lose 10 of his previous 39 fights.

One of those was a 12th round knock-out by Skelton in home-town Reading in April 2004 when Sprott lost the British and Commonwealth title he had taken from Williams, at the third attempt, three months earlier.

Now Sprott will go looking for the revenge victory to clinch a long-awaited world title chance.

Sprott insisted he had faith in his own ability coming into the fight and told ITV1: “I was convinced. What he had done to Danny Williams he thought it was it and I knew it wasn’t.

“Anyone who put money on the bookies – enjoy!”

He also described it as the best punch he had ever thrown but was adamant he did not want a rematch with Harrison.

“I want to fight Matt Skelton and get the world title.

“I’ve had enough of rematches – I’m moving on.”

The Reading fighter was adamant he had not been concerned by Harrison’s successful approach in the first couple of rounds, saying: “Not really I was just warming up and trying to get my distance together and then I found it.”

Warren admitted he had been surprised by the outcome.

“He is such a hot and cold fighter but it was a

tremendous performance. Now he has put himself in the big picture.

“What a punch.”

For Harrison, it could all have ended at the Wembley Arena where he made his professional debut – a one-round win over hapless American Mike Middleton back in May 2001, a year after winning the Olympic super-heavyweight gold in Sydney.

Harrison has struggled throughout his career to win over the fans and tonight was no different.

They booed him in and they booed him out again following his crushing setback.

He made a promising start, spearing Sprott with his southpaw jab but clung on as soon as his 22lbs lighter opponent started throwing his own punches.

Two hard lefts failed to deter the Reading man who was defending his relatively meaningless EU heavyweight title – not to be confused with the genuine European championship – and he hit back.

But it was Sprott who hit the canvas when Harrison caught him with a left-right combination, although he sprang up almost immediately and, following the compulsory eight count, launched a counter-attack.

Looking purposeful Harrison dug some hurtful-looking punches into Sprott’s ribs, beneath his left elbow, but was caught by two good jabs by the 4-1 underdog as he tried to capitalise.

Sprott was clearly not afraid to mix it with his noticeably bigger opponent, who appeared to tower over him by more than their four-inch fight difference.

He transgressed the rules by pushing Harrison off with his forearm and the pair exchanged hard looks as the bell rang to end round two.

In the third, Sprott was, noticeably, getting through with his jabs and it set him up for two big rights which showed Harrison he was in for a hard night.

But he could not have imagined what was to follow, and he knew little about the finish.

As Harrison struck with a short right, Sprott retaliated with a tremendous left and Harrison did not know what had hit him as he was catapulted to the floor.

Harrison insisted the defeat did not mark the end of his career and was adamant he could still target world titles.

He told ITV1: “Definitely. I knocked him down first round which made me go away from the game plan a little bit and I didn’t respect his power.

“But he got through with that shot. “I’ll rectify it. I made a mistake tonight.”

The 35-year-old paid tribute to his opponent but was adamant he wanted a rematch. “I’m okay.

“I felt like I was doing well in there. He caught me with a shot fair and square which is boxing. “I thought I was okay but the referee said I wasn’t.

“You go down. But it’s disappointing. “All credit to Michael Sprott because I didn’t see the shot coming. But I’ll be back and hopefully I will have a chance to rectify it with Michael Sprott straightaway.”