Harrison, Williams get jump on Saturday's rematch

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LONDON -- British fighters Audley Harrison and Danny Williams got into a brawl Friday at the weigh-in for their heavyweight rematch.

AP Photo/PA, Chris YoungDon't expect Williams (left) and Harrison to mend fences in a rematch of these British rivals.

Harrison and Williams will fight Saturday night at London's ExCel Arena, a year after their first bout -- won by Williams in a split decision -- was widely criticized for a lack of action.

Williams appeared to shove Harrison, setting off a scuffle that sent both men tumbling to the ground and camera equipment flying before they were pulled apart. Williams is a late replacement for Commonwealth champion Matt Skelton, who pulled out with an injury last week.

"There was more action in those few seconds than there was in the entire 12 rounds last time around," promoter Frank Warren said. "It might be bad for the image of boxing, but there is a lot of pent-up aggression between the pair."

Harrison, the 2000 Olympic super heavyweight champion, left the room without commenting.

"We were both fired up and these sorts of things are bound to happen," said Williams, who beat Mike Tyson in 2004.

British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Simon Block criticized both men for the brawl and said sanctions were likely.

"This is the unacceptable face of boxing," he said. "It is simply not good for the game and there is no place for it. It was so stupid for them to risk injury with the real fight just around the corner."

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

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