Adams’ trainer fires warning to Harrison

Ali Adams’ trainer Don Charles believes his fighter’s aggressive style will be too much for Audley Harrison when the pair clash on Saturday night.

The bout will be Harrison’s first since the former Olympic champion was brushed aside by David Haye in a one-sided world title contest in November 2010.

Harrison, from Harlesden, has been much criticised during his professional career, with many believing he lacks the stomach for a battle.

And Charles says Adams, who was born in Iraq and lives in Chelsea, will exploit Harrison’s apparent reluctance to trade punches.

“We’re going to fight him – he doesn’t like to fight. I don’t believe Audley likes to engage in a fight,” Charles told West London Sport.

“He’s very technical – hence why he won the Olympic gold medal and we respect him for that – but watching Audley fight sometimes is like watching paint dry.

“It’s like playing football and waiting for the opposition to concede a penalty for you to score. He doesn’t like to score in open play – and we’re going to score in open play, that’s the strategy.

“Audley waits for the opportunity to let his left hand go. We’re not going to give him that opportunity.”

Some of Adams’ past performances suggest he has little chance of delivering on his pledge to beat Harrison, who insists his dismal showing against Haye was the result of a pectoral injury.

But Charles, also the trainer of world title challenger Dereck Chisora, is convinced Adams is a much improved fighter.

He said: “When I started to train Ali he had no defence whatsoever. The main thing I’ve done is give him a defence and from that he’s gained confidence.

“I know Audley’s strengths. I also know his weaknesses. If I didn’t think Ali would win this fight I would have said ‘Forget it, don’t make the match’.

“We’ve done our homework and I believe my boy is going to be victorious.”

See also: Adams says he sees fear in Harrison

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