Whats the sentiment towards Haye vs Harrison over there? Anyone pulling for the underdog in the public square or is it a bunch of 'harrison is getting destroyed' talk?
The fight is a joke. Sky TV are trying to pass the fight off as though Harrison has a real chance, and it's his 'destiny'. Bollocks. Any real fight fan over here knows Haye's gonna destroy him with ease. The media is vastly overrating Harrisons chances so that the fight won't seem a mismatch, and people will buy the PPV. Idiots will think Fraudley has a chance, fight fan's will know better.
Audley has never really been that popular this is mostly down to himself.For this fight however he seems to have some supporters.He never gave up and I think that has turned people around a bit.Haye is still by far the more popular guy but Aud is not as despised as he used to be.The crowd even booed him after he had been knocked out in the first Sprott fight which is not good and it will be a very pro Haye crowd on the night.But for once there will be a few(myself included)cheering Audley on.Its his big night and Im not alone in thinking that he might just for once realise his potential.I certainly dont think he will disgrace himself.As ive said many times before useless fighters dont take home gold medals.He has just never put it all together as a pro.He is fighting like a man who knows time is running out and it will I think make for an interesting fight.
A looonnnngggg time ago. People doubted him after he lost two on the run against Williams and Guinn. They gave up on him after Michael Sprott humiliatingly KO'd him. He was big **** after the olympics, but once the BBC axed boxing from there broadcasts, the public didn't care about him anymore. He's been off the publics radar for a while now.
Its the same as when the dumbyanks got all excited about rjj vs trinidad, or hopkins vs winky Boxing fans know its a mismatch and over in two rounds but the general public are interested. Same reason I know X factor is the biggest pile of aids riddled filth ever to grace a television screen but it is also the most watched programme in the country. People are stupid.
The night when he got his chin checked by that slashing punch from Sprott in the first match up was the night his dignity went down the drain for good. Nobody has taken him seriously since then. As SportsLeader said, Audley's chances have been talked up to make it look like an even match-up, when frankly, I'd be embarassed for Haye if he didn't manage to knock Audley out inside 2 rounds.
Audley was especially unpopular (for a long while, although it might have faded a bit) with the hardcore boxing fans as he was (perceived as being) pretty much solely responsible for the BBC washing its hands of serious boxing coverage. They gave him a million-pound contract in return for his first ten fights. He gave them a bum-of-the-month roster in return. In fairness, the BBC should share the blame as they behaved like morons. Too much money, and too little realism with regard to the usual quality of a pro fighter's first ten bouts. Nevertheless, the perception was that he hustled them. On the other hand, they clearly thought they might be on to the new Lewis, so it cuts both ways.
This fight has generated the interest it has, largely because of who Audley Harrison is. He's been a household name way before the likes of Hatton, Calzaghe, Haye and Khan. As for who everyone is rooting for. Well, the general public hasn't really got a preference. The casual sports fan is rooting for Haye, largely because he's the new hype and they've grown a little fed up Audley's disappointing stint as a professional. But the boxing fans, who know exactly what's going on, are talking about how funny it would be if Harrison was to beat Haye. With everything that Haye has promised them since turning heavyweight (Klitschko fights), choosing Audley was the most cowardly move he could have taken. For this reason, they would be in joy if he were to lose this. But the above is only based on people who I've talked to.
What makes me cringe, is everytime ringside is on, and they have a new guest, there almost trying illicit a positive response from their guest to give Harrison a chance, as though to hype it, make it seem like a competitive fight. Its disgusting the way their trying to pull the wool over people's eyes to rob them of their hard earned cash.
Nobody is taking Audley seriously despite the hype machines best attempts to make him sound credible. Audley hasn't been hidden away on Sky all his career like most so still marketable to casual fans, he fought on the BBC for years, everyone in the country knows he's ****. 2005. Until then he seemed like a potential star who was too unmotivated to make it big. Then he lost to Danny Williams on ITV for the whole country to see and the question mark hanging over him was removed.
The saddest thing is, the fight is probably going to sell quite well. It's pathectic, but the public are so gullible at times. Also, the way they are trying to pass the fight off as the biggest british fight since Lewis-Bruno is disgusting.
Popularty does not make you win matches, Audley had and still has what it takes. He just has to work on the left jab to set up his right cross.