Hide v Harrison

The boxing news this past Saturday night was dominated by two fights in the heavyweight division, dominated by two men who have suffered differing fortunes of late, but who have both endured some criticism.

2000 Olympic Super-Heavyweight Gold Medallist Audley Harrison finally got round to his second professional fight in 12th months, going up against Derek McCafferty. Sadly, his points win was hardly inspiring, and earned the boos and catcalls of those in attendance.

While on the same bill, former WBO Heavyweight Champion Herbie Hide fell to a second round knockout against Joseph Chingagu, a man everyone thought Hide would easily beat. Hide was defeated in the second of his comeback fights, having taken two years off to deal with several personal issues.

Both men endured a great deal of criticism for their efforts. Since he won Olympic gold, Harrison has come in for a lot of stick, mainly because of his inactivity.

Hide has seemingly been criticised for years, ever since he lost the one-sided bout against Riddick Bowe.

Both men are seemingly at a cross-roads in their respective careers. Who does Harrison fight next? If he goes up against another journeyman, and puts in another unconvincing performance, he will again be lambasted by the boxing fraternity.

If Hide decides to box on, and again fails, he will forever be known as a nearly man, a man who early in his career showed great promise, which will never be fulfilled.

So, what will happen next? How about this for an idea? Audley Harrison v Herbie Hide.

This fight would give us many things. Harrison would be given a credible opponent, a former World Champion. Hide would be given a credible opponent, a former Olympic Champion. Each would gain by fighting the other.

There would also be others who would gain. The BBC, having paid £2 million to screen Harrison's first ten fights, would get the "name" opponent they want for him. Rumour has it that earlier today, the Beeb's people and Harrison's people had some sort of crisis meeting to discuss Saturday's lack lustre affair.

The boxing media would also be happy. This would provide a high-profile contest between two of Britain's best known heavyweights.

Both Hide and Harrison are high-profile boxers at the moment. Putting them together would gain as much interest as previous high-profile fights such as Lennox Lewis v Frank Bruno, or Lewis v Gary Mason, or Bruno v Joe Bugner. And it would give British boxing the sort of fight it hasn't seen since the heyday of Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank.