Trailing Harrison pulls it out of the fire to sensationally stop Barrett and claim Prizefighter crown

By Ben Carey

Audley Harrison came from behind to sensationally knock out Coleman Barrett with 20 seconds remaining in the second round to claim victory in the Prizefighter The Heavyweights III tournament in London night. The 37-year-old championship favourite looked booked for yet another disappointing defeat after he was constantly beaten to the punch and made to look cumbersome by the spirited Barrett up until the dramatic turnaround.

Harrison outclasses Hughes to seal his place in Prizefighter final

By Ben Carey

The much-maligned Audley Harrison proved far too good for Sunderland’s Danny Hughes and will now meet Coleman Barrett in the final of Prizefighter The Heavyweights III. Harrison handed Hughes his first professional defeat, knocking him down in the third and final round en route to a unanimous points win, 30-26, 30-27 and 29-28.

Barrett outslicks Baker to reach Prizefighter final

By Ben Carey

A strong final round by Coleman Barrett saw him deservedly book his place in tonight’s Prizefighter Heavyweights III final. All three judges had the Irish quicksilver winning by scores of 29-28 and only Audley Harrison and Danny Hughes stand in his way of winning the tournament. This all-southpaw battle, between two fighters who registered upsets against reigning British champion Danny Williams (Baker) and former British champion Scott Gammer (Barrett) earlier in the night, took a while to ignite as both exercised caution initially.

Hughes annihilates Perkins and books semi-final clash with Harrison

By Ben Carey

Sunderland’s Danny Hughes needed only 45 seconds to blow away fellow novice Neil Perkins to book a semi-final clash against Audley Harrison in tonight’s Prizefighter. Perkins, taking part in only his fifth pro outing, played right into Hughes’ hands by foolishly mixing it with the Mackem beanpole and was rocked in the opening exchanges by a thudding left hook.

Instead of heeding the warning, Perkins remained in punching range and paid the ultimate price seconds later after he was dropped by a monstrous right hand. Neil rose on unsteady legs but was rightly not permitted to continue by referee Marcus McDonnell who sensibly stopped the fight. Though now undefeated in nine fights (against 1 draw), this was only Hughes’ second stoppage win. It will be interesting to see what happens if he manages to detonate a similar punch on Audley Harrison’s suspect chin.

Harrison coasts through to Prizefighter semi

By Ben Carey

Audley Harrison made light work of Scott Belshaw to comfortably book his place in the second Prizefighter semi-final after registering a second round knockout. The 6’7 Belshaw, the tallest contestant in Prizefighter, tried to force the action but was countered by a straight left hand and went down after a delayed reaction midway through the opening round.

Baker stuns Williams in dramatic Prizefighter upset

By Ben Carey

40/1 outsider Carl Baker stunned British champion Danny Williams in one of the most seesaw fights ever witnessed in Prizefighter III tonight. The 20st 7lbs giant Baker dropped Williams twice in a thrilling first round but had to hang on for dear life as Williams threatened to snatch a dramatic come-from-behind KO victory in the final round.

Barrett edges Gammer in tepid first Prizefighter III quarter-final

By Ben Carey

Coleman Barrett’s speed and southpaw stance saw him narrowly outpoint former British heavyweight champion Scott Gammer in a lacklustre opening to Prizefighter III in London tonight.

All three judges, Marcus McDonnell, Dave Parris and Terry O’Connor favoured the unbeaten Irishman by 29-28 on the scorecards after three tepid rounds. Barrett, whose odds of winning the tournament have been reduced to 12/1 down from 20/1 following a flood of money, began brightly, peppering the static Gammer with snappy one-twos from the southpaw stance in the opener.

Fearless Hughes predicts big-name bottle-job in Prizefighter

Danny Hughes believes the ‘big names’ in tonight’s Prizefighter Heavyweights III will ‘fold under pressure’. Hughes, 23, is the youngest competitor in Barry Hearn’s latest eight-man, one-night tournament, which will be held in front of an expected 5,000 strong crowd at London’s ExCel Arena.

The event includes some of the most well-known heavyweights in Britain, including current British champion Danny Williams and former Olympic Games gold medallist Audley Harrison. However, Hughes believes the format of each bout lasting a maximum of three rounds will see one of the unfancied fighters claiming the £32,000 top prize.