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Late-show Skelton angers Williams

24/02/2006

Tomorrow night's heavyweight battle of Britain is sure to have added spice after the respective camps of Danny Williams and Matt Skelton nearly came to blows at a pre-fight press conference.

The two boxers meet tomorrow at London's ExCel Arena, with the winner taking both the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles plus a very winnable world title fight shot later this year.

And as if extra motivation were needed, tempers were sent soaring after Williams, kept waiting for an hour by Skelton, exited the conference hall in London just as the reigning British heavyweight king finally arrived.

Promoter Frank Warren was livid by the Commonwealth champ's actions and angrily claimed his departure will cause a riot tomorrow night.

Williams' trainer Jim McDonnell defended his charge, saying devout Muslim Williams had to leave to attend prayers at a nearly mosque. Despite this, both camps were clearly angered by the others' attempted mind games.

When Skelton did finally field questions, he spoke only to emphasise his determination "to hurt Williams", saying: "I'm very much up for the fight. This is what it's all about."

Predicting an early round stoppage, he added: "It will last as long as the referee lets it."

With the final shenanigans out the way, talk can finally stop and the action can begin.

Bedford-born Skelton, 39, has won all 18 of his professional fights with 17 coming via knockout and is many people's favourite despite his age and lack of big-fight experience.

Williams, 32, aka the Brixton Bomber, has 34 career victories, 28 coming inside the distance, and four losses, the last one coming at the iron fist hands of now-retired WBC champion Vitali Klitschko at Mandalay Bay in December 2004.

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