Sprott to box Ruiz on Haye-Valuev undercard? / Prizefighters to be seeded

ishy · Aug 27, 2009

As last chances go, Audley Harrison's could not really be more dramatic. Since Barry Hearn first introduced his Prizefighter knockout series 16 months ago, the emphasis has always been on drama and excitement, rather than skill. Harrison, the 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight champion, does not seem to have the ideal style for such an event, but with few offers on the table, an eight-man tournament that also includes old rivals Michael Sprott and Danny Williams could supply some impetus to giving Harrison his last shot at the big time.

Prizefighter is, of course, an eight-man event, although the achievements of the top three - Williams, Harrison and Sprott - put the rest in the shade. There are two former British champions in the mix too, although Scott Gammer has retired a couple of times recently and Michael Holden will not have boxed for more than six years by the time he enters the ring. Of the rest, Scott Belshaw was exposed by Tyson Fury recently, while Coleman Barrett and Danny Hughes are novices.

This will be the eighth Prizefighter tournament, the third at heavyweight (Martin Rogan and Sam Sexton won the previous two) and takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, on October 2. Tickets are, apparently, nearly all gone.

Harrison has not boxed since losing to Rogan in London in December. He said he had been waiting for a suitable offer. He had been offered a bout in Denmark and had been close to securing a fight with Alexander Povetkin, his successor as Olympic super-heavyweight champion, in April before Povetkin decided to go with Jason Estrada instead. Harrison had even started training in Big Bear for the bout.

He said he had been attending the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, when he bumped into Eddie Hearn, the son of promoter Barry and the managing director of Matchroom Sport.

I was losing my money on the poker tables when Eddie asked me if Id be interested. I told him if they get Danny and they get Michael (Sprott), count me in, Harrison, who flew from his California home for yesterdays announcement in central London, said. A lot of people thought I had retired. I hadnt, I was just waiting to see which door would open up. This is the door that has opened.

It is the chance for revenge over Sprott that is the biggest motivating factor, the chance to avenge one of his four career defeats. He had hoped for the remath last year, but says that Sprott declined. "I would have fought him again the next week if I had the chance," Harrison said. "The text message I got back from Dean Powell (Frank Warren's matchmaker) was that Michael said 'get stuffed, I'm never fighting him again'."

Indeed Harrison looked positively downcast when Jim Evans, Sprott's manager, revealed that he had reached an agreement for Sprott to box John Ruiz on the Nikolay Valuev-David Haye bill in Germany on November 7. "Have we lost Michael?" Harrison said, shocked.

"We've lost no one," Barry Hearn said. A stoppage loss for Sprott could end his chance of facing Ruiz, however.

For the first time in Prizefighter there will be seeds, ensuring that Harrison, Williams, Sprott and Gammer are kept apart in the first round. Should Williams not win, he could lose his British title. The British Boxing Board of Control has said that it would consider making the title vacant.

But even Harrison, who has lost four of his 27 professional bouts, admits that defeat in Prizefighter could spell the end of his ambition to become world heavyweight champion. If my hand is not raised at the end of this then Id really question it, he said. But I know where my journey is going to end up and this is a great opportunity. Ive got a lot to offer still.
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http://timesonline.typepad.com/boxi...-hearn-first-introduced-his-prizefighter.html

Losfer_Words · Aug 27, 2009

Interesting:think. Haye would still smash the **** out of Ruiz or Sprott, thoughgood. I actually want Haye to fight Ruiz- if and when he defeats Valuev.

Grant1 · Aug 27, 2009

1 Williams
2 Sprott
3 Harrison
4 Gammer

Is that what we think?

El Cepillo · Aug 27, 2009

You have got to admire Audley's tenacity, if nothing else.

Lewisbell · Aug 27, 2009

I don't think they should be seeded, I like it randomised

1) Harrison vs. Barrett
2) Sprott vs. Hughes
3) Williams vs. Gammer
4) Holden vs. Belshaw

then 1 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 4 then the final

slip&counter · Aug 27, 2009

prizefighter is garbage

"emphasize on drama and NOT SKILL" is this the way the sports going? :-(

David the · Aug 27, 2009

If he is truly interested and motivated for this Danny Williams should be the favourite

kosaros · Aug 27, 2009

Good idea to seed them.

Mazallan · Aug 27, 2009

Skelton vs Ruiz will be ****ing amazing. Thank **** this is in Germany and not a 2am job before the main event cos no way could I ever stay awake through that.

Prizefighter is pointless but entertaining and the seeding will be ****. The entire point of the show is seeing two old guys swinging away at each other while the touted fighters get bombed out like the last show with Keeton and Francis.

2tall2slow2 · Aug 27, 2009

Jim Evans, Sprott's manager, revealed that he had reached an agreement for Sprott to box John Ruiz on the Nikolay Valuev-David Haye bill in Germany on November 7
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Imagine Sprott landing on Ruiz like he did with A Force. That would be worth the box office fee alone :good

chrisfinch · Aug 27, 2009

I feel a bit dirty for saying it, but I'm interested in an Audley Harrison and a Danny Williams fight for the first time in like, ever.

But seriously, Prizefighter has been very hit or miss. The first Heavyweight one was a novelty, but the recent Light Heavyweight one (that Tony Oakey won) and the Cruiserweight one was alright. But good grief that Ligbhtweight one in Scotland was beyond horrible.

I hope its found its niche, fairly well known veterans looking for one last shot at the prize and a title, rather than these young guys, who are half way between prospects and journeymen.

CANNONBALL · Aug 27, 2009

call me mad but i wouldnt be shocked to see a Sprott - Gammer final...

KOTF · Aug 27, 2009

This might possibly be the worst fight in the history of mankind.

Farmboxer · Aug 28, 2009

Haye will cancel the fight because he lost his balls!

Neverchair · Aug 28, 2009

Farmboxer said: ↑

Haye will cancel the fight because he lost his balls!
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What the **** are you talking about??????

Anyway, I think Prizefighter lends itself quite well to the heavies as there is more possibility of seeing knockouts.

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Sprott to box Ruiz on Haye-Valuev undercard? / Prizefighters to be seeded

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