5,000 people packed into the ExCel Arena in London’s docklands to see Barry Hearn’s biggest Prizefighter tournament yet – and no one left disappointed from what turned out to be an enthralling event.
Prizefighter Quarter Final Results
The night’s action started with the first of four thrilling quarter finals. First up, Coleman Barrett, who came into the event undefeated, defeated former British Champion Scott Gammer in a close contest. The judges unanimously decided in favour of Barrett 29-28 following a solid performance to advance the Irishman to the semi finals.
That steady performance was followed up by the shock of the night in QF2 where unfancied Carl Baker defeated British Heavyweight Champion Danny Williams in a hard hitting contest.
Williams was simply too sluggish in the first round as Baker came out swinging from the bell, landing several hard shots to cause a knockdown early on. A groggy Williams got to his feet but was soon down again as Baker continued his full on onslaught to leave the crowd, and the champion, stunned. The second round was more sedate as Williams tried to rally to no avail against a dogged Baker.
The third was all Williams as the champ knew he needed a knockout to progress but, despite landing numerous heavy blows, Baker hung on for a famous points victory that will surely see Williams stripped of his title.
To make matters worse for Williams, QF3 saw his big rival Audley Harrison defeat Scott Belshaw with a confident performance. After forcing a knockdown in round one, the bout was stopped late in the second after Belshaw was downed with a big straight left. To a chorus of boos, ‘A-Force’ advanced to the semi finals.
Joining him was Danny Hughes who made light work of QF4 against Neill Perkins, scoring a devastating knockout just 45 seconds into the fight.
Prizefighter Semi Final Results
The night continued with the first semi final between two fighters who were expected to be on the road home by now. Most expected a Williams Gammer showdown in SF1, but Coleman Barrett and Carl Baker had other ideas. Both coming off the back of tough fights, Barrett looked the fresher as he won a unanimous point’s decision to advance to the final.
After an even first round in which both men landed good combos, Barrett began to take control in the second as Baker’s quarter finals exertions began to tell. The third appeared to be the pivotal round for Barrett though as the Irishman, who was significantly smaller than Baker, landed a series of hard shots to rock Baker. Although Baker once again failed to drop, showing his great resiliency, Barrett got the decision 29-28.
In SF2, Audley Harrison displayed another calm and methodical performance to defeat the talented Danny Hughes. Hughes showed great hand speed but, despite some periods of dominance, was unable to really trouble a composed Harrison who won a unanimous judges decision.
Harrison appeared to be pacing himself through the fight, refusing to be drawn into a slugfest with Hughes instead standing back and picking his punches. It served its purpose in round three when Harrison scored a knockdown with a stiff left after Hughes had opened up in an attempt to force the win. The knockdown proved a decisive factor and Harrison advanced to the final.
Prizefighter Final Result
The final got under way to loud boo’s after Harrison’s entrance, leaving Barrett as the overwhelming crowd favourite. It didn’t seem to fluster Harrison though as a stoppage two minutes forty seconds into the second saw Harrison crowned Prizefighter champion to silence his critics.
The first round was very even with both men landing several telling blows, but it could be argued that Barrett was just shading it. The second was much the same until Harrison, who had been stalking Barrett for much of the round, struck with a stiff left that sent the plucky Irishman to the canvas for the win.
So it appears that finally Harrison’s stop start career is firmly back on track with a much needed tournament win. However, the big story out of Prizefighter Heavyweights III will certainly be the fall of Danny Williams. Maybe now, with the British title vacant, fans might see the culmination of the Williams Harrison feud.
