Can The Brits Make Heavy Impression?
By Jeff Day
03.12
- Sheffield, England's own Johnny Nelson, WBO Cruiserweight
champion re-launched his heavyweight career two weeks
ago.
Nelson was due to make a routine defence
against Napoleon Tagoe of Ghana, but the challenger
failed the British Boxing Board of Control's eyesight
test! Amazingly, Tagoe was found to be blind in one
eye and has a cataract covering part of the other.
Johnny made do with a twelve round
decision over Russian, Alexander Vasiliev for the
ever popular World Boxing Union championship. Britain
can now lay claim to TWO world heavyweight champions
at the same time! (Of course, even Nelson will know
not to take this 'world' championship too seriously.
However, although there seems a dearth
of talent on the world heavyweight scene, the British
scene has some potentially top class heavyweights
coming through to take over Lennox Lewis' mantle when
he retires, which will surely be only a matter of
12-18 months away.
Danny Williams, recently signed with
Don King, should make his breakthrough on the world
scene in 2002. It looks as though he will make one
or two more defences of the domestic title before
meeting the winner of John Ruiz-Evander Holyfield
3. (Has there ever been a less anticipated 'rubber'
match in boxing history than this?)
Williams, who's only defeat against
Julius Francis was avenged emphatically earlier this
year, has the freshness, tools and hunger to dethrone
a very ordinary Ruiz or a seriously faded Evander
Holyfield. Williams has overcome his early career
lack of self-belief, mainly to his trainer, former
European featherweight champion, Jim McDonnell.
Williams' record stands at 25-1 (20
kos) and has to be respected. I would expect a more
mature Williams to make his mark in next year.
American fans may not have heard of
John McDermott. He is a baby in heavyweight terms
at 21, and was the Amateur Boxing Association (English
amateur title) champion in 2000. Already he has challenged
Audley Harrison to a domestic set-to, but that meeting
is for a later date.
So far, the 6'2" Englishman has
amassed 8 straight victories, 5 inside schedule and
is certainly one for the future, if guided right,
and being promoted by Europe's best in Frank Warren,
should not find opportunities hard to come by.
Of course, the most obvious contender
for future world honours, is Britain's Sydney Olympic
hero, Audley Harrison. Unfortunately, Harrison has
had only three fights in over a year since his gold
medal winning performance. In fairness, this has been
due to bad luck rather than choice.
Before he could make his professional
debut, he had a hand operation. Before his second
contest, he injured a rib in sparring. And after his
third contest, injured his back while taking part
in non-boxing activities. At 30, Harrison cannot afford
any slip-ups even if heavyweights mature at a later
age.
Audley has decided to be main event
at his shows, so while other novice professionals
ply their trade on the undercard of shows, Harrison
has put himself at the forefront which may get him
greater attention, but also greater criticism than
he perhaps deserves.
He has a personality that transcends
boxing, and represents a great advert for our sport.
If he makes the grade as a professional, he will be
a real breath of fresh air.
With a record of 17 wins, 1 defeat
(avenged in a round) and a draw, Blackpool's Mathew
Ellis has to taken seriously. A professional for nearly
six years, Ellis' career is another one that could,
and should have produced so much more by now. Inactivity
and problems outside the ring have conspired to stop
the fighter that spends some of his time training
in Houston, Texas.
He is trained by former world super-featherweight
title contender Dwight Pratchett, and has recently
signed a promotional deal with Frank Warren. In fact,
Warren offered Audley Harrison £500,000 to meet
his new fighter in a British title eliminator in September.
So, things are not all bad on the
heavyweight scene, at least in Britain. While the
five boxers mentioned above may well be being groomed
for the very highest honours, the likes of Julius
Francis, Mark Potter, Wayne Llewelyn, Michael Sprott,
Michael Holden and Keith Long should keep the domestic
scene fascinating for the next year or two.
