Audley Harrison: Ground Zero

[bob_bask]

Lewis rules out Jones clash

Lennox Lewis has ruled out a heavyweight reunification bout with new WBA champion Roy Jones Jr. Jones made the successful step up from middleweight on Saturday to outpoint fellow American John Ruiz.

But Lewis, the current WBC champion, insisted a fight with Jones Jr was not on the cards.

"I don't think Roy Jones Jr would fight me at this point. What for really?"

Jones Jr too was reticent about fighting Lewis and said: "Lennox is a great heavyweight champion and I love him to death. We go back a long way and I think Lennox is definitely the best of the heavyweights."

Despite ruling out a fight with Jones Jr, Lewis insisted he was impressed by the American.

"I always said that Roy Jones Jr even in his own weight class does not get hit," said the Brit. "To move up to heavyweight he has got two advantages. One is overwhelming speed and another is weight. He can really move around and stay away from you. I believe there's a lot of heavyweights Roy Jones Jr can beat out there. He creates new excitement in boxing."

[bob_bask]

Klitschko stunned by Sanders

Wladimir Klitschko lost his WBO heavyweight title after being knocked out 27 seconds into the second round by Corrie Sanders.

The unheralded South African floored Klitschko with a short hard left late in the first round, then sent him down to the canvas three more times.

Klitschko was defending his title for the sixth time.

The 37-year-old Sanders, who had never been given a big fight, jumped into the arms of his trainer, apparently shocked and overjoyed by the upset.

"I gave myself big chances to beat him - I knew I could do it," Sanders said.

Sanders, 39-2 with 29 knockouts, did exactly what pundits had predicted.

After a slow opening, he went after the 6ft 7in heavyweight, having already knocked out 18 opponents in the first round.

"I wasn't planning that - it just happened that way during the fight," Sanders said.

Ukrainian Klitschko had just signed a nine-fight bout with HBO and had hoped to sell himself as the next great heavyweight in the United States.

"I'm certain I will come back, I'm certain I will be world champion," Klitschko said. "All great champions have been beaten, then came back. It happened to Ali, it's happened to Lennox Lewis too."

[bob_bask]

Tyson Races to Stunning Win

Mike Tyson required only 49 seconds to stop Clifford Etienne at the Pyramid, in Memphis.

The sight of his previous bout against Lennox Lewis witnessed Tyson dispatch his opponent with glimmers of the Tyson-of-old.

Tyson came out firing in the opening round, tearing into his unfancied opponent. And as soon as it had begun, it was over.

Yet it remains if Tyson's performance has convinced that he is capable of reversing the outcome of the first meeting between himself and Lewis.

Afterwards Tyson said, "I wasn't ready for this fight but I had obligations. He needed the money and I needed the money. He's a good man."

Tyson's sixth fastest victory of his career improved his record to fifty wins, fourty-four by knockout and four losses.

Etienne records now stands at twenty-four wins, seventeen by knockout, two losses and a single draw.

[bob_bask]

Harrison retains Euro Title

Audley Harrison produced a stunning finish to all but stop Sinan Samil Sam and keep his march on a world title alive.

Harrison went into the fight claiming he was close to challenging for a world heavyweight title, and after his performance, few may question those claims.

"I showed a lot of heart. Losing wasn't an option," Harrison said after the fight.

Down on two of the three scorecards going into the seventh, Harrison had to dig deep against his undefeated opponent to muster victory.

In the eighth he had Sam down after an out-of-no-where uppercut landed, for the count of six. Followed up by another knockdown in the ninth thanks to a four punch combination.

It finished with the scorecards, all in favour of Harrison. 116-109, 115-110, 115-110.

Emmanuel Steward, Harrison trainer was heard to remark Harrison struggled and was somewhat lucky that Sam began to run out of steam.

[Utopian]

You should carry this on, its really good.

[bob_bask]

Thanks for the comments Utopian, I am intending to continue this simulation as soon as I can. Hopefully I will have an opportunity to make progress in the next few weeks.

Thank you for the interest.

[bob_bask]

Rahman and Tua in Draw

This rematch was scored a split draw in a fight most ringside observers thought Rahman won.

Rahman believed he did enough to get the decision, but neither fighter seemed to be in particularly good condition and neither pressed the action consistently.

Judge Bob Grasso had the bout eight rounds to four for Tua, Bill Clancy eight to four for Rahman and Judge George Hill scoring it a draw.

The draw could prevent either fighter from becoming a mandatory challenger for a shot at IBF Champion Chris Byrd.

[bob_bask]

Harrison confirmed on Gatti-Ward III Undercard

Harrison, the olympic gold medallist whose professional record stands at 14-0-0 will replace the injured Dominick Guinn to meet former title challenger Michael Grant, 38-2-0.

Grant who stands at 6'7" with a reach of 86" and weighing between a rumoured 254-260lbs, has on paper every advantage over his less experienced opponent.

Scheduled for July 7th at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey - Harrison seemingly has passed over the chance to yet again appear on the undercard of Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis.

Sat beside one another, both boxers seemed respectful of the others abilities. But once again it was the contender from Britain that did the most talking.

"Michael's fought some good names, but he's come short when fighting great names... Audley Harrison is a great name."

When asked how he intended to defeat Grant, Harrison replied "With my mind, and by extension, my fists."

Harrison continued, "Not only will you witness a great main event, there will be an undercard contest so exciting, so dramatic, the victor so glorious, that for years people will be saying, 'Were you there?'"

[bob_bask]

Lewis-Johnson off

The first Heavyweight title fight between two Canadians has been shelved after challenger Kirk Johnson has been forced to pull out.

According to Johnson's team, the challenger has withdrawn due to a torn pectoral muscle.

Lewis' camp has yet to announce any further news, with regards to a fight card cancellation or a potential replacement opponent.

[bob_bask]

Harrison parts with Steward

British Heavyweight prospect Audley Harrison and Hall-of-Famer trainer Emanuel Steward have announced that they will no longer be working together.

Harrison has compiled a 14-0-0 record under Steward's tutelage since turning professional.

Neither party has issued any statement on the matter.

[bob_bask]

Harrison in Public Workout

With his upcoming bout against Michael Grant, British prospect Audley Harrison surfaced in New York to give the media and press an intimate workout.

Accompanied by his new trainer Carlos "Panama" Lewis, Harrison sparred several rounds with local boxers.

Harrison, almost anticipating the question, began a monologue.

"Anybody that knows the fully story, knows this man is innocent... and if refuse to believe that, well he's been judged by his peers and served his time."

Lewis sat on a bench in the background, nodding his head.

"I meet Panama the week or so before my fight against Denis Bakhtov. He was there with Tyson. We got into a conversation, and he gave me a lot of great advice which I've gone on to use. Manny is very good, one of the best... but he doesn't have Panama's history in the sport, or Panama's ability to talk."

[bob_bask]

After several spurts of life, I have decided to no longer continue with this Audley Harrison simulation.

I have certainly at times enjoyed it, whilst at others times, it has been a real struggle to fit into a already hectic schedule.

However, with Harrison's title challenge against Haye impending, life may once again, top fiction for sheer inconceivability.

I would like to thank all those who were kind enough to leave encouraging comments, and hope that somewhere down the line I will attempt another simulation.

[Ric915]

Originally Posted by bob_bask

After several spurts of life, I have decided to no longer continue with this Audley Harrison simulation.

I have certainly at times enjoyed it, whilst at others times, it has been a real struggle to fit into a already hectic schedule.

However, with Harrison's title challenge against Haye impending, life may once again, top fiction for sheer inconceivability.

I would like to thank all those who were kind enough to leave encouraging comments, and hope that somewhere down the line I will attempt another simulation.

Can definately understand life getting in the way. It was great while it lasted I'm sure at some point you will find your way back to a TBCB uni or simulation

[Utopian]

Ahh, Im gutted, but I understand. Really enjoyed it.