Harrison win marred by controversy
Audley Harrison won his professional debut at York Hall with a unanimous decision victory over Harry Senior.
Senior was a game opponent, arguable winning the last two rounds when Harrison looked to have tired after some great exchanges in the six-round heavyweight encounter. Harrison took advantage of his greater size and reach to outbox his opponent and earn victory by 58 points to 56.
But the fight centred around a controversial sixth round. The Olympic champion appeared to have been hit by Senior with a body shot. The referee however, believing it was a low blow - stopped the fight and deducted one point from Senior.
The 29-year-old Londoner insisted he still has a long journey ahead of him.
"What the press have got to realise is that Audley Harrison is an Olympic champion and now a professional, but I've still got a lot to learn and it's going to take time." Harrison went on to say, "I felt good. I was doing what my corner wanted me to, popping the jab and the body shots were working," he said. "There's lots to take away and there's a long way to go, but so far, so good. I learned a lot. This is a big occasion for boxing and myself."
Senior's record drops to seven wins, ten defeats with one draw.
Harrison looked confident at his weight of 245lbs and certainly seems to have retained the speed and boxing skill that he showed at Sydney. The 29-year-old expects to fight again in the next month or so.