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Harrison in bloody Williams win | Harrison in bloody Williams win |
(1 day later) | |
Audley Harrison began the process of restoring his reputation by winning his grudge re-match against fellow Briton Danny Williams inside three rounds. | |
Harrison was widely criticised after a lame performance in losing a split decision to Williams 12 months earlier. | Harrison was widely criticised after a lame performance in losing a split decision to Williams 12 months earlier. |
But in the first round at London's ExCel Arena, a stunning left left Williams with a badly cut nose. | |
Williams was cut under his left eye in the second before Harrison claimed a technical knockout in the third. | |
Williams had taken the Commonwealth heavyweight title by beating Harrison in a split decision one year ago, although that belt was taken from Williams by Matt Skelton in July. | |
Skelton was due to fight Harrison here, at London's Excel, but he withdrew through injury so Williams stepped in at a week's notice for a re-match of that bout last December, which ended in bitter recriminations for Harrison. | Skelton was due to fight Harrison here, at London's Excel, but he withdrew through injury so Williams stepped in at a week's notice for a re-match of that bout last December, which ended in bitter recriminations for Harrison. |
606 DEBATE: Your reaction to Harrison's victory | 606 DEBATE: Your reaction to Harrison's victory |
The pair had clashed at the pre-fight weigh-in, and Harrison continued that aggression inside the first round as he opened up Williams' nose. | The pair had clashed at the pre-fight weigh-in, and Harrison continued that aggression inside the first round as he opened up Williams' nose. |
After two minutes of the second round, the fight was stopped so the referee could study Williams' face - by now a bloody mess with cuts across the nose and underneath his left eye. | |
Williams persuaded everyone he was fit to continue, but Harrison continued to take the fight to his opponent for the remainder of round two. | |
Williams' corner desperately tried to repair the damage ahead of round three, but his face looked like that of a man who had gone 12 rounds, rather than two. | |
Williams knew there was a danger that his cuts might result in an early stoppage, so he had a real go at knocking Harrison out at the start of the third. | |
In 2007 I will win the world title, in 2008 I will be undisputed Audley Harrison | In 2007 I will win the world title, in 2008 I will be undisputed Audley Harrison |
But Harrison was the one who claimed the knockout, sending Williams to the canvas with an uppercut. | |
Williams got up for one more go, but he was hit with yet another uppercut, prompting the referee to end the contest after two minutes, 32 seconds of that round. | |
"I have come back to the same venue after a torrid time last year and have done a job," Harrison told ITV after the fight. | "I have come back to the same venue after a torrid time last year and have done a job," Harrison told ITV after the fight. |
"In 2007 I will win the world title, in 2008 I will be undisputed. You saw today I have definitely got the skills. | "In 2007 I will win the world title, in 2008 I will be undisputed. You saw today I have definitely got the skills. |
"People say I've got no heart and am petrified. The bottom line is that we all have bad days at the office. | "People say I've got no heart and am petrified. The bottom line is that we all have bad days at the office. |
"Last year I was not in the right place. I came back today with my closet cleared out. Boxing is what I want to do and let me go on in my career." | "Last year I was not in the right place. I came back today with my closet cleared out. Boxing is what I want to do and let me go on in my career." |
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