BANKRUPT EX BOXER AUDLEY HARRISON RIDDEN WITH HEALTH ILLNESS

Fallen 2012 Olympic hero, Audley Harrison has announced that he has finally put to bed any aspirations of returning to the ring, following health issue relating to his vision and brain caused by his time in boxing. The Las Vegas based London who thrilled the nation with a gold medal in 2000, only to inadvertently betray the high hopes invested in him, had announced a return to the ring after we though we saw the last of him after his last 70 seconds pummelling by then American prospect, Deontey Wilder.  Wilder this year captured the WBC version of the heavyweight title belt.It was the second time Harrison had announced retirement only to reverse his decision in an attempt to leave the sport with some dignity rather than humiliation. After Harrison did a marvellous salesmanship job in 2010 of convincing the British public that he had a good chance of beating former WBA champion, David Haye, he froze in the ring for the most part of 3 rounds until David Haye pounced on him like a wild animal attacking his prey, and knocked Harrison out senseless in a fight that earned Harrison a handsome £1m just for showing up. Harrison retired from the sport but then connived everyone that he had a chance of beating 6ft 9 inches David Price, an Athletic power house who at the time had knocked out all but two of his opponents and had a perfect record. Harrison was this time blown away in under a round  in a defeat most predicted except the man himself. Harrison again announced his retirement and this time we were all certain we had seen the back of him.However, it was not long before he expressed interest in fighting American danger man, Deontey Wilder, a 6ft 7  1/2 muscular knock out artist who had sparked out all his opponents inside 3 rounds. A t the time, I contacted Harrison himself and pleaded with him not to take this fight, as it was obvious to me that all he will achieve from it would be money after being knocked out cold. It was next to impossible for any knowledgeable fight fan to envisage a victory for Harrison who by now was becoming punch bag for rising prospects in the sports premiere division. Harrison however could not heed my advice because this would mean kissing good bye to a huge pay cheque which had now become the irresistible drug of his struggling career. American Wilder this time took 70 seconds to annihilate Harrison, affirming in no uncertain terms the Londoner unsuitability to the higher ranks of the bull dogs in the division.

One more announcement of a return came early this year, but Harrison yesterday released a statement saying
“I am no longer a professional boxer, and that is good with me.
“After locking myself away for the last five weeks, I’ve tried to focus and turn back the clock to get myself into fighting condition. I’ve also seen specialists for my brain, eyes and various other experts to test my body functions.
“I looked at the latest research into concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). After years of denial and sticking to my guns, I’m finally getting out of my own way. As tough as it is to say this…it’s time to stop.
“I’ve suffered a few TBIs and will have to work hard to reverse some of the effects taking punches to the head has brought about to my overall health.
“I have vision problems, vestibular injuries that leads to balance disturbances, and have bouts of serious irritability and moodiness that comes with TBI recovery.”

BANKRUPT

Harrison saved one knockout blow to deliver for us all.  The man who was paid £1m for his first ten fights by the BBC  also announced that he had squandered much of the cash he made from the sport and will likely have to file for bankruptcy in the UK.  He added ”I made many mistakes and learnt some tough lessons along the way. I made some money and splurged lots of it away with reckless money management trying to build my empire like  Tony Mantana ‘Thankfully, my wife Raychel started a hair salon business and threw chunks of money into real estate, but I’ll still likely have to file for bankruptcy in the UK. Thankfully, I invested in a pension while living in the UK, so that will be good when I’m much older.

SAD

It is sad to hear that Harrison, who most thought will be the last person to mismanage his money can claim to have frittered  it away in the careless manner he describes.  In retrospect, it is no wonder he went for the fight against David Price and Deontey Wilder when nobody gave him a prayer of winning either of the two fights. It had became very obvious to even casual fight fans that he was just fighting for the money. All rationality pointed to an embarrassing battering awaiting him.  No way did even he himself believe he would defeat a huge puncher like American Deontey Wilder when the Londoner had struggled to gather any real rhythm in any of the meaningful fights he had. Harrison’s best win came when he produced a last minute miracle to knockout Michael Sprott in the last minute of the last round in a fight he was comprehensively losing, albeit with one hand after breaking his wrist in the early rounds of that fight. That victory made him European champion, but that would be the last impressive win he would have. Harrison’s career finished with 31 wins and 7 losses, not too bad when you really think about it. However, he never really achieved his potential as an Olympic champion. Harrison’s popularity improved when he went on strictly dancing and also on celebrity big brother.  He was probably better suited to being a television personality than being a professional boxer. We wish him the very best of luck with his health and future endeavours.