Audley Harrison: The complete package or completely packaged?

In the current crop of heavyweights there are four semi-recognized belt holders, and a series of worthy and not-so-worthy mandatory contenders, but in almost every quarter one name is conspicuously absent from mention for true contention: Britain's Audley Harrison.

Harrison, set to take on onetime Mike Tyson conqueror, Danny Williams in London on December 10th, is rarely mentioned as a future titlist and is on no one’s shortlist to challenge for a belt despite his unbeaten record and an Olympic gold medal in the 2000 games. He has regularly been savaged by the British press and boxing fans for the conduct of his career – the issue which is likely the central factor resulting in being largely ignored, particularly by the American sporting public.

The 6’5½” southpaw has admittedly fought infrequently for a fighter rising to contender status. His 19 fights have spanned the four years since his 2001 professional debut. Harrison is currently on the fringes of contention by the alphabet organizations: WBC #14; WBO #14; IBF #13 and he is inexplicably unrated in the top 15 of the WBA. (Harrison remains at # 8 in the monthly Grant Top 25 Heavyweights based largely on his potential).