09.12.05 – With both main event fighters in attendance, waiting upon the arrival of promoter Frank Warren to start the press conference, Audley Harrison and Danny Williams were asked to face off for photographers. Upon Warren’s arrival and the start of the press conference, it was announced that Danny Williams was refusing to join the dais with Harrison present. His trainer Jimmy McDonnell spoke for his fighter.. Immediately after the Q&A, Harrison left the area in utter disgust for Williams. Only after Harrison’s departure did Williams agree to meet with the press and answer questions. Below are quotes taken from the participants in anticipation of one of the biggest heavyweight showdowns in British boxing history. Here then follows these quotes:
AUDLEY HARRISON:
On Danny refusing to sit at top table for press conference:
“It’s very unprofessional of him acting this way. I am a professional and this is part of the process. Danny should be able to come up here, be a man and speak his mind. A lot of what he does is bizarre. But as long as he turns up on Saturday night, we have a fight and that’s what we are here to do—fight.”
On Danny Williams:
“All opponents raise their game when they fight me. Danny will be there on fight night. I hope we see the best of Danny Williams on Saturday night. That’s what I am hoping for, that’s what I’ve trained for.
On Respect For His Opponent(s):
“I respect all fighters who get in the ring knowing how serious a business we are in. I take it all seriously but I am a fun guy too. The professional ranks is different as I see how we tend to really get in each other’s face. But I try to stay respectful. Danny brings his A game. He’s powerful and he can punch. So in that sense, I respect him a lot.
“I have had a great training camp with Thell (Torrence) and Kelvyn (Travis.) Kelvyn has been in Danny’s corner 20 times as an amateur so he knows Danny probably better than even Jim McDonnell does.
“Victory is already secured. The only way for Danny to win is if he catches me with a lucky punch. Other than that, I will use my abilities to win on points or put my punches together and take him out.”
On possible Danny tactics:
“I do lots of things in the ring but one thing about Danny, when he gets hurt or starts to panic, he starts to cheat and goes low with his blows. It’s habitual for him and I hope the referee will be aware of any of Danny’s illegal tactics. He has done it in fights with Julius Francis, Bob Mirovic and Michael Sprott. I am looking for a strong clean fight and the best man will win.”
On sitting next to Frank Warren at a press conference:
“It is not a surprise to be next to Frank Warren. The fight came around at the right time. Both sides have compromised to make this possible. Ideally for us it would have been a co-promotion and ideally for Frank he would have had three fight options on me. But we both made concessions and the fight was made.
“The last few years my fights outside the ring have been with Sports Network and Frank Warren. Not with his fighters. Thankfully a deal can be done now and it is good for all involved. My team saw Frank’s message in the News of the World and that was when negotiations started.”
On the future:
“After Saturday night I think I will be able to stop trying to convince people that they can and should believe in me and my abilities as a future heavyweight champion. I am pretty sure this fight will be all the convincing they need.”
“Definitely a world title fight in 2006. I am a couple of fights away and all being well 2006 will be a big year. But I am looking only to Saturday night at the moment and talking of possible future fights is pointless at this stage.
DANNY WILLIAMS:
On his refusal to be involved in the press conference:
“It’s all the talk, the disrespect. For weeks we have been slogging each other off and I am just sick of it. If I had sat at the table and Audley talked about me again, I don’t know what might have happened. I might not be able to control myself. Something bad might have happened and it would have been ugly for boxing and ugly for Frank Warren.
“It wasn’t nervous energy – I am just trying to prevent a terrible moment in boxing. I am just ready to fight. This is the first time I just want to get in the ring and really beat someone up.
“I can’t win with the media. When I am nice you (the media) say I am too nice. Now I am vicious and that is getting me nowhere! Shall I be nice or vicious? What do you want?!”
On Audley Harrison:
“I am going to beat him up Saturday night. I’m going to put it on him and let’s see if he can stand the heat.
“I have never fought anyone who has talked as much as Audley Harrison. Walking down the street people tell me they want me to KO him. He might get that as well about me but I think the crowd will be behind me.
“I used to think he was a nice guy but not now. I have never been as fired up as now except when I was meant to fight Herbie Hide. I hate that guy.
“Audley Harrison is a good technical boxer with some beautiful fast shots for a big man. But I don’t think he has the biggest heart or great stamina. Never seen him take a big shot from a good puncher either. That’s still the “if” factor so come Saturday night we shall see.
“Audley Harrison is motivation enough for me. I’m not nervous. I feel relaxed and ready. Everyone says I should unleash the Devil in me. Well he’s in there this time planning on making Audley’s life a living hell Saturday night.
“Audley has a big name in the US and I am glad people can buy the fight over there if they want to. Obviously beating him would get me back to championship level. The winner of this fight will be recognized on a world level and for me, I’ll be right back in the picture.
On how the fight will go:
“Danny Williams by KO. I am not sure when, but it will be by KO.”
AMIR KHAN:
“I will celebrate my birthday after my fight and not before.”
“It will be good to watch the heavyweights. It will be good to see Audley box again, I haven’t seen him box for a while and I am looking forward to it.”
For more information on this bout please go to www.audleyharrison.com, www.frankwarren.tv or www.integratedsportsnet.com. For additional photos and background information on Audley Harrison, please visit his personal website.
The Harrison-Williams Battle for Britain will be broadcast live in the United States on Pay Per View ($19.95) December 10th at 3:00pm EST. The event is being promoted by Sports Network. The broadcast is being distributed in the USA by Integrated Sports. The fight is also available live via pay per view webcast at www.Mediazone.com. Exciting televised undercard bouts will include the US televised debut of British Olympian Amir Khan.