Boxing: Harrison makes light of Navarre
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Your support makes all the difference.It took Audley Harrison just one punch finally to arrive on the American boxing scene on Tuesday night when he knocked out Quinn Navarre in round three at a Miami disco.
Last year Harrison was involved in an ugly spectacle in Atlantic City when he beat the hopelessly outclassed Shawn Robinson in one round. But that fight attracted a great deal of negative publicity because the part-time American was hopeless.
Navarre entered the ring with a decent record of surviving against good opponents and a justified reputation as a journeyman but in the tiny ring he had no chance of avoiding Harrison's punches and it was a great relief when the final, sickening left rocked him for the full count after 33 seconds of round three.
The fight was the first of three for Harrison on the American sports channel ESPN and he will fulfil his arrangement with the broadcasters before returning to Britain where, in theory, he will be ready for a meaningful fight against one of his rivals.
"This was an ideal ending to an ideal fight and I am looking forward to impressing the American people in my next fight," said Harrison, whose ability to talk has always been part of his charm.
Tuesday's fight took place in front of just a few hundred fans, some of whom had paid just $20 (£12.50) to watch the British fighter.
Hopefully, when he fights again, it will be on a bigger show in a more significant venue because the undefeated, reigning Olympic champion deserves better than being part of a Tuesday night special at the local disco.
Two of Harrison's main rivals will fight each other again when Danny Williams defends his British and Commonwealth titles against Michael Sprott in Reading on 26 September.
In February 2002, Sprott lost in seven rounds to Williams in a fight that he accepted at late notice.
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