Boxing: Williams and Harrison warm up for rematch with brawl

A slimmer Danny Williams and a meaner Audley Harrison finally started throwing punches at each other yesterday but, unfortunately, it was at the weigh-in for their fight this evening.

Last year, the pair went 12 rounds and barely exchanged a punch but, yesterday afternoon, a ferocious 10 seconds of brawling followed their half-naked appearances on the weighing scales. For the record, Harrison weighed 17st 13.5lb and Williams, a stone lighter than last year, 19st 1lb.

For some reason, they attempted to perform an eye-to-eye stare for the purposes of the gathered photographers, but it went wrong when, first, Williams and then Harrison started pushing and, instantly, a mêlée involving 12 or more people erupted in the confined area.

Tonight, they will fight for real when they share top billing at the ExCel Arena in London's Docklands at what has surely been the most troubled promotion in British boxing history.

Amir Khan has been elevated to title status following the withdrawal of Scott Harrison and he will meet the Frenchman, Rachid Drilzane, over 10 rounds for the International Boxing Federation Inter-Continental light-welterweight title. Khan will win his first test easily.

At featherweight, the British champion Andy Morris will defend his title against John Simpson in the only one of four proposed title fights to remain on the bill. There is some consolation for Nicky Cook, who was to have met Harrison. He will meet the seasoned veteran Harry Ramogodi, in a fight that will surely be a dreadful let-down for the unbeaten young boxer.

The show's promoter, Frank Warren, somehow managed to maintain a smile when the weigh-in and the fracas were over. Warren added: "This truly is the most incredible promotion that I've ever been involved with.''