Audley Harrison "A Nation living in Fear of Destiny"

The Last 48 Hours, leading up to the November 13th.

The day before the fight, i walked down to my local gym with a friend of mine. I wasn't training, i was just chatting to people about the fight. Yet again man, I'm going to be very honest here. All throughout this build up, i was certain of Audley Harrison winning, i had banged on about this fight being about basic psychology. And i was banking on Audley Harrison being backed into a corner, and having no choice to fight back with his full ability mentally and physically.

Because whenever Audley Harrison was truly backed into a corner in his career, and had to really win a fight. He pulled it out of the bang, in what ever fashion he won by any means necessary. Prize fighter, Commonwealths, Olympics, Danny Williams II, Michael Sprott II.

I was confident that, Audley Harrision mentally will enter into that place what athletes call the Zone, and just perform. He has did it before, and he just needed to do it again.

It was during the last fight press conference, where i started to see Audley Harrison crumbling mentally, and letting the fear overcome him.


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NJ9Oa-dpss[/ame]


But it was also when i saw, a interview with Audley Harrison saying........"Ohhhhhh i'm so scared about November 13th, i'm so scared"

He was pretending to joke...........but his trainner was just sitting their with his head down, and with no smile, no smile on his face. He knew then that Audley was starting to crumble, and he should of done something about it........maybe he did, i don't know.

Audley Harrison just needed to simplified this event, instead of talking about destiny, Universal power, prophecy and all that. This is what is called unwanted pressure, all great performers in sport can simple a challenge, and num their emotions and senses. If i could see it, and other people could see it here. I was hoping Audley Harrison coach could speak to Audley Harrison and hold him together mentally, ****ing get any given sunday on his ass if need be.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtH3hQ9XTMo[/ame]


Because thats when coaches can win fights, but i think his coach was to interested in intimidating David Haye or trying to, chatting **** in his dressing room moments before the fight. When moments before the fight, Audley Harrison needed his assed kicked, kicked in the dressing room before the fight.

All of the toughest athletes in sport have that split persona, etheir they turn into viscous animals, or cold hearted killers. Linford Christie would shake nobodies hand on the start of a 100m race, and he would just stand motionless starring at the finish line. All 6"3 and 210pounds of his physiques just in suspended animation.

"Positive,Mental, Attitude".......that's what he would say.

Guys like Mike Tyson, Nigel Benn unearth that side of their personality, that animal instinct, and they become this beast before a fight.

Bjorn Borg, was cold blooded, and competed like a robot. You very rarely saw him get overly excited over scoring a great point after a great rally, as far as he was concerned........it was just a simplified task........like a Robot.

I wanted to ignore it, and i did to a certain extent.......because i'm stubborn.

I really don't know what went on inside of the head of Audley Harrison in those last 48 hours, i personal think Audley Harrison has been a broken man for along time and suffering with some kind of depression for years. I honestly believe there was no fear in Audley Harrison when this fight was made, yes he had all the normal fears every fighter has but......no real fear.

Mike Tyson pointed out the fact that Audley Harrison is a nice person, he's a nice guy. And boxing strips you down, to who you really are. And the fact of the matter is Audley Harrison is a nice guy, he's intelligent, flamboyant..............but i don't think he's got that Killer instinct inside, pretty much like Frank Bruno. But the only difference is, Frank Bruno early on in his career probably to himself owned up to who he is, and was at one with himself and his talents. Frank Bruno, knew deep he didn't have that killer instinct like Nigel Benn or Mike Tyson. He knew his strengths and weakness mentally........

Everyman, every fighter, every sports athlete can become brave and have courage. But it takes self confidence to become brave.

There was a time in Audley Harrison life, when he was brave and had courage inside of the ring. And if you have bravery and courage, this can counter act and fill in for that missing killing instinct.

I just beleave Audley Harrison has taken such a beating over this past years, deep down he is lacking in some serious self confidence. He is a very very very very stubborn person just like me, and has probably just tried to deal with his problems himself and convince himself. Instead of seeking some serious help, Asafa Powell is the most prolific 100m sprinter of all-time, 3 times world record holder, but choked badly in the 2004 Olympics when he was heavy favourite, and he did the same in 2006, and then totally crumbled in the 2008 Olympics.

After a emotional track side interview, where he was almost in tears. He admit he had a problem, a mental problem, performance anxiety.

Asafa Powell in the fall of 2008, was working with a psychologist and doctors. In the 2009 World Championship final, and carrying a injury. Asafa Powell for once, for once produced his best performance in a final, and won himself a bronze medal.

It was not his fastest run of all-time, but under the pressure, and with carrying a injury.

He performed to his ability instead of crumbling mentally.

Because he had admitted his weaknesses and faced them, Audley Harrison has never admitted his weaknesses and faced them, and i cannot understand why when he is such a intelligent guy. There is no shame in it, the guy needed help psychologically.

I worry for Audley Harrison now, and i don't agree with the insignificant people slating him. He's just a man who had a dream and goals, achieved some goals and dreams. And dared to walk above others and lead the way.

Some people don't even get that far in life, but he did.

 

Audley Harrison Responds: I Didn't Take a Dive With Haye..

By Audley Harrison

To my family, my team and the fans who got behind me on this journey to overthrow David Haye and become Heavyweight champion, I'm sorry I was unable to walk through the door and fulfil my destiny. I can promise I cut no corners in training and did all I could do in getting myself ready both physically and mentally for Saturday's fight. Ultimately, I didn't get going and my game plan to take over the fight in the later rounds was extinguished by the power and speed of David Haye who caught me clean around my guard.

If I wanted an easy way out, I would have stayed down from the knockdown, but I rose and the referee’s intervention saved me from a potentially bad knockout as David is a good finisher, but I would have gladly left the ring on a stretcher as I wanted to work my way through it.

I make no excuses and I'm not sure where I go from here in boxing, but I'll lick my wounds, take some time out with my family and see what I want to do.

From Prizefighter, to the European Title and overcoming a career ending injury and surgery – I am happy to have made my way back to this point. Yes I am defeated and upset about the outcome on Saturday, but my journey in life has been one of triumph and the 'yes I can' slogan goes onwards and upwards.

To David Haye, I'm grateful for the opportunity to fight for the World Title and I'm glad we buried the bad blood between us. I wish you well in your attempts to unify the titles and you have my support.