Harrison wins in style to shake off ‘Fraudley’ tag

AUDLEY HARRISON took just eight minutes and 32 seconds to erase five years of underachievement and finally establish himself as a legitimate future world heavyweight title contender.

Harrison brutally dismantled his domestic rival Danny Williams in their ExCel Arena rematch, spectacularly resurrecting a career which until Saturday night seemed destined for the scrap heap.

Harrison’s failure to back up his boasts since turning professional in 2001, culminating in consecutive dismal defeats to Williams and Dominick Guinn, had rendered him a subject of ridicule.

But when jubilant Harrison sat in his dressing room and compared his style to that of Riddick Bowe, or insisted he had the measure of IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko, nobody laughed.

Harrison said: “My goal is to be world heavyweight champion and that fight has not diminished. By 2008 I want to be undisputed champion.

“You have seen what I am capable of. Bowe could throw punches on the inside like that and I am the next man. I am looking for an eliminator in my next fight, then next summer I want Klitschko.”

Harrison was drilling his opponent with sharp left jabs from the opening seconds and quickly opened a cut on the bridge of Williams’ nose.

The Olympic champion was clearly intent on making a point and by the end of the first round brave Williams’ challenge was hanging in the balance.

Referee Ritchie Davies ordered the doctor to take a close look at Williams during round two, and soon he had also suffered damage around his left eye which would later require 13 stitches.

Harrison continued crunching in the uppercuts, two lefts toppling his opponent face-first to the canvas as he struggled to beat Davies’ count.

Another fine combination prompted the referee to wisely stop the contest.

Dejected Williams said: “I am not sure if you will see me in a ring again. The years take a lot out of you and maybe it caught up with me tonight.”

Meanwhile Amir Khan will celebrate winning his first professional title in unusual fashion — by immediately relinquishing it.

He had to clamber off the canvas to outpoint Frenchman Rachid Drilzane over 10 rounds and claim the vacant IBF intercontinental light-welterweight title.

But now Khan will return to the 10-stone lightweight limit.

Khan said: “I am a lightweight and I only went up to get the experience and fight someone who would take me the distance. I took a few shots but I proved I have got a good chin.”

Meanwhile Oleg Maskaev retained his WBC heavyweight title with a comfortable unanimous decision win against Peter Okhello in Moscow.

The Russian – an American citizen – knocked his Ugandan opponent down in the 10th round but was unable to force a stoppage.

However, he retained his belt – which he won by beating Hasim Rahman in the summer – with two judges awarding him every round as the bout was decided with scores of 120-107 (twice) and 117-110.