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bob_bask · 05-20-2010, 04:25 PM

Nelson: Harrison will not be champ

Olympic hero Audley Harrison has been told he will not become world heavyweight champion.

The stark warning comes from compatriot Johnny Nelson, who comes off a successful defence of his WBO world cruiserweight title against Brazilian George Arias early this month.

"Harrison is about to enter a different league," warned Nelson. "I rate him as an amateur, especially after winning a gold medal, but the professional game is a very, very tough one. I think he will be found out. He is 29 and he cannot take any short cuts to the top. You can't knock his amateur record, but this is a different level. I do not believe he will make it."

Harrison, who has signed a non-exclusive two-year deal with Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis, is due to make his professional debut later this month, under the watchful eye of newly appointed trainer Emanuel Steward.

Nelson managed only three victories in 13 amateur fights, but has won 38 of his 51 paid contests and expressed his concerns for the future of Harrison's training team.

"Most of the previous heavy and super-heavyweight Olympic gold medallists have gone on to fight for the world championship," Nelson added. "So anyone falling short will be tainted. Audley can come to Sheffield and spar with me if he wants to. But when he does box as a pro, who can he box in this country who would not be a risk? People who know about boxing will know that he can't make that big leap."

05-20-2010, 04:25 PM	#21
bob_bask Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,387	Nelson: Harrison will not be champ Olympic hero Audley Harrison has been told he will not become world heavyweight champion. The stark warning comes from compatriot Johnny Nelson, who comes off a successful defence of his WBO world cruiserweight title against Brazilian George Arias early this month. "Harrison is about to enter a different league," warned Nelson. "I rate him as an amateur, especially after winning a gold medal, but the professional game is a very, very tough one. I think he will be found out. He is 29 and he cannot take any short cuts to the top. You can't knock his amateur record, but this is a different level. I do not believe he will make it." Harrison, who has signed a non-exclusive two-year deal with Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis, is due to make his professional debut later this month, under the watchful eye of newly appointed trainer Emanuel Steward. Nelson managed only three victories in 13 amateur fights, but has won 38 of his 51 paid contests and expressed his concerns for the future of Harrison's training team. "Most of the previous heavy and super-heavyweight Olympic gold medallists have gone on to fight for the world championship," Nelson added. "So anyone falling short will be tainted. Audley can come to Sheffield and spar with me if he wants to. But when he does box as a pro, who can he box in this country who would not be a risk? People who know about boxing will know that he can't make that big leap."