Fraudley was held back and sabotaged

Zakman · Oct 1, 2009

Fraudley's delusional as always. His glass jaw and his pea-sized heart will ensure that he will never win a meaningful fight.

Beeston Brawler · Oct 1, 2009

ScouseLad said: ↑

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/oct/01/audley-harrison-racism-england-prizefighter

If fury alone can help man achieve his dreams then Audley Harrison undoubtedly has a chance of becoming a world champion. The heavyweight returns to competitive action for the first time in nine months tomorrow with accusations that his detractors hounded him out of this country and claims that racism is part of the reason why he has become one of the most ridiculed and disliked British fighters of all time.

Harrison could not hide his anger as he spoke before his latest comeback, this time as part of the promoter Barry Hearn's Prizefighter series, which will see eight heavyweights compete in a one-night knockout competition with the winner securing a £32,000 prize. Eyes have been rolled at Harrison's claims that he will tear through the field, which includes his long-standing rival Danny Williams, nine years after winning Olympic gold in Sydney.

But the 37-year-old is deadly serious, even more so when he speaks of his belief that triumph tomorrow will "open the door" for him to again challenge for a heavyweight title and, should all go to plan, realise his lifelong ambition "within the next four or five years".

For those who doubt Harrison's credentials, though, it is perhaps fitting that Prizefighter III should be taking place at London's ExCel Arena, for it was there that he suffered his fourth professional defeat last December, against the Belfast cab driver Martin Rogan. That humiliation was expected to lead to the total demise of "A-Force".

"I always said I'd be back," snaps Harrison. "I know there's people who want me to shut up and quit but to them I say 'tough, I won't'. I will keep going until I am a heavyweight champion. Once I've done that, then I'll walk away.Prizefighter is an opportunity and I'm fully focusing on that now. I refuse to get distracted by the bull**** any more."

But it is obvious that the "bull****" is occupying Harrison's thoughts. He has been living in the United States with his wife Raychel and their daughter Ariella for the past five years, first in Las Vegas and now in Los Angeles, and wastes no time in claiming that the move was a necessity. "I wanted to stay in the UK but was basically forced out," he says.

"There has been a campaign against me in this country from day one. People have wanted to stitch me up and deny me any chance of getting on with my career, either as a promoter or a fighter.

"I was OK while I still had the support of my broadcaster [the BBC], but once they also joined the campaign [by terminating a contract with him in 2004], my stay in this country from a professional point of view became untenable. I had to leave if I was going to continue doing what I was doing."

Harrison refuses to specify who precisely has smeared and obstructed him and instead makes a general reference to the British boxing establishment or the "system" as the architects of his decline. His critics will no doubt brush aside these claims as yet another rant from a deluded man who cannot accept that his career has been a failure, punctured most notably by the defeat to Rogan and the devastating third-round knockout by Michael Sprott in February 2007.

Harrison accepts those defeats, coupled with those against Williams in December 2005 and Dominick Guinn of the US four months later, "do not look good" on his record, but is keen to point out that he has won 23 out of 27 fights since turning professional in 2001, with 17 knockouts and wins on both sides of the Atlantic. He says his feats should be celebrated rather than castigated.

Asked why he seems to have become the pantomime villain of British boxing, Harrison makes his most explosive claim. "My race has definitely been an issue, particularly in regards to me being a self-promoter," he said. "Britain remains an institutionally racist country people here don't mind seeing black people doing well but they don't want them to be independent from the powers that be. I wanted to be independent, my own boss, and people didn't like that. They didn't like to see a black man in charge of a company which at one point employed 22 people, as was the case with A-Force Promotions.

"Look at Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Oscar De La Hoya. They've all set up promotion companies and been self-promoted too, but [they] have not received even half the criticism I have. Why is that? It's pretty obvious, if you ask me.

"This is also part of the reason why I moved to America. That is a country where anyone, whatever their race, can get to the top. Look at Barack Obama, he is the ultimate message of hope. Will Britain ever have a black prime minister? Never, it will never happen here."

Again there is no specific target for Harrison's accusations. "Don't worry, this story will eventually be told," he adds. "But I want to do it properly. Whitney Houston had a one-hour special with Oprah [Winfrey] recently and was able to talk in detail about the stuff she's gone through. I want to do the same, perhaps on a show in Britain."

Before all that, however, comes Prizefighter and having spent the past few months "working on his fundamentals" with a new coaching team in California, Harrison insists he is in perfect shape for the competition, which could well see him face Williams in the final. The last time the pair met was their rematch in December 2006, which Harrison won with a third-round knockout.

"I've got Danny's number," he says. "He's a warrior, but that isn't enough, you've also got to have skills and tactics. I have those things, Danny doesn't."

Crucially, Harrison claims, his enthusiasm for boxing has also been restored, something that began to desert him after he teamed up with the promoter Frank Warren after his victory over Williams. "Beating Danny gave me another shot at the world title, but to go all the way I felt I needed to be in the system," he says. "I knew signing with Frank would open doors that were closed to me.

"But I was unhappy. Every fight was the Frank Warren show, even though it was me who was in the ring. I lost my motivation and, I know this sounds terrible, but I felt happiness after losing to Rogan because it meant I could get out of my contract. Signing with Frank is one of the biggest mistakes of my life and I will never make it again. When I do finally win the world title it will be as my own man."

It is easy to dismiss Harrison but it should be noted that for every false dawn there has also been a catalogue of achievements. Sydney 2000 aside, this is a man who has also survived a stint in Feltham's young offenders' institution, attained a degree in sports studies from Brunel University and continued to fight after the death of his brother Vincent last year.

"Life is full of mountains that you have to keep on climbing," he says. "I have done that throughout my life and will do so again."
Click to expand...

I really believe he needs professional help.

ScouseLad · Oct 1, 2009

There has to be something wrong with him, he's a bizarre person thats for sure.

"Look at Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Oscar De La Hoya. They've all set up promotion companies and been self-promoted too, but [they] have not received even half the criticism I have. Why is that? It's pretty obvious, if you ask me."

That in particular was absolutely hilarious. It certainly is pretty obvious Audley and its **** all to do with race. I cant believe he's even got the nerve to compare himself to those.

Though, it's not as bad as when he was on SSN a few years back saying he was the most skillful boxer in the world though he gave credit to Floyd for not being far behind!!

mrbassie · Oct 1, 2009

Beeston Brawler said: ↑

I really believe he needs professional help.
Click to expand...

Clearly has a huge ego and sounds distinctly paranoid, dangerous mixture.

slip&counter · Oct 1, 2009

What irks me even more then the pathetically empty rhetoric of this fraud, is the muppets who go on about how he had all the talent but no heart...BULL****! if you analyse is game then its clear he was never good enough to make it, then people will come out with the old tosh that oh you don't win an olympic gold if you're not super talented, also complete nonsense, this ain't the times when the likes of teofilo stevenson where raigning and fighting every aspect like a pro exept in name. Harrison won a gold but it certainly wasn't a proper gauge in terms of his potential, it wasn't like before when a heavyweight gold mendalist was almost sure to be at the least a decent pro, the game has changed, it doesn't work like that no more, almost two different sports.

The-Holmes-Show · Oct 1, 2009

ScouseLad said: ↑

Though, it's not as bad as when he was on SSN a few years back saying he was the most skillful boxer in the world though he gave credit to Floyd for not being far behind!!
Click to expand...

:rofl:rofl:rofl if thats true, omg, i am truely speechless. hahahahahaha:good

doylexxx · Oct 1, 2009

slip&counter said: ↑

What irks me even more then the pathetically empty rhetoric of this fraud, is the muppets who go on about how he had all the talent but no heart...BULL****! if you analyse is game then its clear he was never good enough to make it, then people will come out with the old tosh that oh you don't win an olympic gold if you're not super talented, also complete nonsense, this ain't the times when the likes of teofilo stevenson where raigning and fighting every aspect like a pro exept in name. Harrison won a gold but it certainly wasn't a proper gauge in terms of his potential, it wasn't like before when a heavyweight gold mendalist was almost sure to be at the least a decent pro, the game has changed, it doesn't work like that no more, almost two different sports.
Click to expand...

2 different sports hell no, rules a little different thats about it!!!

Who's the HW champ a gold medalist!! Even vitali qualified but was barred for roids.

Lets see off the top of my head former wbc champ Peter was actually beaten by Fraudley I think.

Povetkin is a gold medalist, Igbramamov was silver? Golota silver bowe Lewis Holyfield all medal winners

MOST olympians and medalists become at least good pros, thats fair to say

doylexxx · Oct 1, 2009

Audley cant take punches and fears the incoming thats the obvious problem here, he has skill athletic ability keeps in shape etc etc

NO heart , pea sized like Zak said

slip&counter · Oct 1, 2009

doylexxx said: ↑

2 different sports hell no, rules a little different thats about it!!!

Who's the HW champ a gold medalist!! Even vitali qualified but was barred for roids.

Lets see off the top of my head former wbc champ Peter was actually beaten by Fraudley I think.

Povetkin is a gold medalist, Igbramamov was silver? Golota silver bowe Lewis Holyfield all medal winners

MOST olympians and medalists become at least good pros, thats fair to say
Click to expand...

you just said a whole bunch of nothing and mainly just repeated by points, so your telling me the amateur game is the same now then when the likes of Holyfield, sweet pea or Ray Leonard were competing in the olympics? get the heck outta here.

Wrong most olympic medalists don't go on to be good pros these days, but they did in the past.

btw when was the last time you saw a modern day amatuer bout? because it certainly looks a different game hence why fighters are finding it harder to adapt once they turn over.

punchdrunkgench · Oct 1, 2009

its articles like that , that remind me wat a 24 carat ***** he is there are dozens of fighters who would have given there right arm for all the chances fraudley has had and he blows everyone one of them and shows no grace or respect to the game, i ve shelled out 80quid for ringside tomorrow night just to watch this muppett lose then hear his now traditonal post fight bull**** interview
and what the fuk is he going on about obana and england never going to have a black pm, christ dont tell me hes gonna play the old race card next

Kid Lucky · Oct 1, 2009

I was wanting him to win as the crap he comes out with is really funny, but having thought about him being interviewed having won tomorrow night I really couldn't bear this nonsense coming out of his gurning face like when he beat a Danny Williams who hadn't trained or even had a trainer.

doylexxx · Oct 1, 2009

slip&counter said: ↑

you just said a whole bunch of nothing and mainly just repeated by points, so your telling me the amateur game is the same now then when the likes of Holyfield, sweet pea or Ray Leonard were competing in the olympics? get the heck outta here.

Wrong most olympic medalists don't go on to be good pros these days, but they did in the past.

btw when was the last time you saw a modern day amatuer bout? because it certainly looks a different game hence why fighters are finding it harder to adapt once they turn over.
Click to expand...

No one finds it as hard a fraudley

I said that this is incorrect

"wasn't like before when a heavyweight gold mendalist was almost sure to be at the least a decent pro"

Most former olympians ARE decent pros

the likes of Fraudley is the exception

doylexxx · Oct 1, 2009

" Wrong most olympic medalists don't go on to be good pros these days, but they did in the past."

Most that come from western countries DO real well not just medal winners olympians in general, of course they do , AM is the starting point fro a majority of boxers, olympians are a high level amattuers

Regardless A Forces problem is not that hes trying to score points , hes clearly afraid to engage do you not agree?

D_XZ · Oct 1, 2009

ScouseLad said: ↑

"My race has definitely been an issue, particularly in regards to me being a self-promoter," he said. "Britain remains an institutionally racist country

"Look at Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Oscar De La Hoya. They've all set up promotion companies and been self-promoted too, but [they] have not received even half the criticism I have. Why is that? It's pretty obvious, if you ask me.

"This is also part of the reason why I moved to America.
Click to expand...

It's official - De La Hoya is British!!!

AndrewFFC · Oct 1, 2009

ScouseLad said: ↑

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/oct/01/audley-harrison-racism-england-prizefighter

If fury alone can help man achieve his dreams then Audley Harrison undoubtedly has a chance of becoming a world champion. The heavyweight returns to competitive action for the first time in nine months tomorrow with accusations that his detractors hounded him out of this country and claims that racism is part of the reason why he has become one of the most ridiculed and disliked British fighters of all time.

Harrison could not hide his anger as he spoke before his latest comeback, this time as part of the promoter Barry Hearn's Prizefighter series, which will see eight heavyweights compete in a one-night knockout competition with the winner securing a £32,000 prize. Eyes have been rolled at Harrison's claims that he will tear through the field, which includes his long-standing rival Danny Williams, nine years after winning Olympic gold in Sydney.

But the 37-year-old is deadly serious, even more so when he speaks of his belief that triumph tomorrow will "open the door" for him to again challenge for a heavyweight title and, should all go to plan, realise his lifelong ambition "within the next four or five years".

For those who doubt Harrison's credentials, though, it is perhaps fitting that Prizefighter III should be taking place at London's ExCel Arena, for it was there that he suffered his fourth professional defeat last December, against the Belfast cab driver Martin Rogan. That humiliation was expected to lead to the total demise of "A-Force".

"I always said I'd be back," snaps Harrison. "I know there's people who want me to shut up and quit but to them I say 'tough, I won't'. I will keep going until I am a heavyweight champion. Once I've done that, then I'll walk away.Prizefighter is an opportunity and I'm fully focusing on that now. I refuse to get distracted by the bull**** any more."

But it is obvious that the "bull****" is occupying Harrison's thoughts. He has been living in the United States with his wife Raychel and their daughter Ariella for the past five years, first in Las Vegas and now in Los Angeles, and wastes no time in claiming that the move was a necessity. "I wanted to stay in the UK but was basically forced out," he says.

"There has been a campaign against me in this country from day one. People have wanted to stitch me up and deny me any chance of getting on with my career, either as a promoter or a fighter.

"I was OK while I still had the support of my broadcaster [the BBC], but once they also joined the campaign [by terminating a contract with him in 2004], my stay in this country from a professional point of view became untenable. I had to leave if I was going to continue doing what I was doing."

Harrison refuses to specify who precisely has smeared and obstructed him and instead makes a general reference to the British boxing establishment or the "system" as the architects of his decline. His critics will no doubt brush aside these claims as yet another rant from a deluded man who cannot accept that his career has been a failure, punctured most notably by the defeat to Rogan and the devastating third-round knockout by Michael Sprott in February 2007.

Harrison accepts those defeats, coupled with those against Williams in December 2005 and Dominick Guinn of the US four months later, "do not look good" on his record, but is keen to point out that he has won 23 out of 27 fights since turning professional in 2001, with 17 knockouts and wins on both sides of the Atlantic. He says his feats should be celebrated rather than castigated.

Asked why he seems to have become the pantomime villain of British boxing, Harrison makes his most explosive claim. "My race has definitely been an issue, particularly in regards to me being a self-promoter," he said. "Britain remains an institutionally racist country people here don't mind seeing black people doing well but they don't want them to be independent from the powers that be. I wanted to be independent, my own boss, and people didn't like that. They didn't like to see a black man in charge of a company which at one point employed 22 people, as was the case with A-Force Promotions.

"Look at Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and Oscar De La Hoya. They've all set up promotion companies and been self-promoted too, but [they] have not received even half the criticism I have. Why is that? It's pretty obvious, if you ask me.

"This is also part of the reason why I moved to America. That is a country where anyone, whatever their race, can get to the top. Look at Barack Obama, he is the ultimate message of hope. Will Britain ever have a black prime minister? Never, it will never happen here."

Again there is no specific target for Harrison's accusations. "Don't worry, this story will eventually be told," he adds. "But I want to do it properly. Whitney Houston had a one-hour special with Oprah [Winfrey] recently and was able to talk in detail about the stuff she's gone through. I want to do the same, perhaps on a show in Britain."

Before all that, however, comes Prizefighter and having spent the past few months "working on his fundamentals" with a new coaching team in California, Harrison insists he is in perfect shape for the competition, which could well see him face Williams in the final. The last time the pair met was their rematch in December 2006, which Harrison won with a third-round knockout.

"I've got Danny's number," he says. "He's a warrior, but that isn't enough, you've also got to have skills and tactics. I have those things, Danny doesn't."

Crucially, Harrison claims, his enthusiasm for boxing has also been restored, something that began to desert him after he teamed up with the promoter Frank Warren after his victory over Williams. "Beating Danny gave me another shot at the world title, but to go all the way I felt I needed to be in the system," he says. "I knew signing with Frank would open doors that were closed to me.

"But I was unhappy. Every fight was the Frank Warren show, even though it was me who was in the ring. I lost my motivation and, I know this sounds terrible, but I felt happiness after losing to Rogan because it meant I could get out of my contract. Signing with Frank is one of the biggest mistakes of my life and I will never make it again. When I do finally win the world title it will be as my own man."

It is easy to dismiss Harrison but it should be noted that for every false dawn there has also been a catalogue of achievements. Sydney 2000 aside, this is a man who has also survived a stint in Feltham's young offenders' institution, attained a degree in sports studies from Brunel University and continued to fight after the death of his brother Vincent last year.

"Life is full of mountains that you have to keep on climbing," he says. "I have done that throughout my life and will do so again."
Click to expand...

I kind of wanted him to win. However after reading that quasi David Icke shite I hope he gets pulverised. What a twat.

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Fraudley was held back and sabotaged

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