Danny Williams insists he is anything but scared of Audley Harrison despite failing to take his seat for yesterday's press conference ahead of tomorrow night's big Commonwealth heavyweight title clash.
An expected head-to-head war of words failed to materialise when Williams stayed outside the Imperial War Museum venue signing autographs while Harrison held court, insisting he was taking precautions to prevent the fighting starting early.
Since the sell-out ExCel Arena contest was announced, each fighter has wasted no opportunity to deride the other, with Harrison labelling Williams a "cockroach" and Williams responding that the Olympic champion "punches like a girl".
But yesterday Williams explained: "We've been slagging each other off and I felt if he started slagging me off again what happened could have been ugly for boxing.
"It's the first time I have actually wanted to go into the ring and beat someone up. I have never fought anybody else who talks so much. I used to think Audley was a nice guy but he is not any more."
Inevitably alarm bells began ringing when Williams failed to take his seat, given the former Mike Tyson conqueror's recent history of unpredictability.
In July Williams pulled out of his scheduled British title challenge to Matt Skelton on the morning of the fight citing a bout of 'flu which had not been apparent at the previous day's weigh-in.
And yesterday's antics - which took place after Williams had happily posed for photographs alongside Harrison at the press conference venue - are no ticket-selling gimmick with all 15,000 seats already sold out.
But frustrated Williams is adamant he is too focused on the fight ahead to leave himself open to possible flashpoints, with defeat effectively leaving him with nowhere to go at the top level.
Williams added: "When I'm being really nice people say I'm too nice. When I'm vicious everyone says it's getting to me. What the hell am I supposed to do?"
Harrison remained calm as he sat alongside his long-time nemesis, promoter Frank Warren, at the top table and could not resist a further swipe at the absent Williams.
Harrison said: "Danny should be able to be a man and speak his mind - it is part of being a professional. But Danny does a lot of things that are bizarre and as long as he turns up on the night then I am sure that will be okay.
"I am confident that he will turn up and I am confident you will see the best of Danny Williams, that is what he has trained for and that is what I am looking forward to."
Harrison also took the opportunity to respond to the claims by Williams' trainer Jim McDonnell that his habit of holding could illegally affect the outcome of the fight.
McDonnell claims to have brought the issue to the attention of the Boxing Board of Control but Harrison countered: "When he is under pressure Danny cheats and goes low. It is habitual with him."
Warren said he was relishing what is arguably the biggest all-British heavyweight fight since Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno clashed in Cardiff 12 years ago.
He believes the winner will move to the fringes of a world title fight, with reigning British champion Matt Skelton - who defends against John McDermott on the undercard - also coming into the mix.
"This fight has captured the imagination and it could have been sold out twice over," said Warren.
"It will be a phenomenal night and I can think of no better way to celebrate my 25th anniversary of promoting fights.
"In an ideal world I would like to see the winner fight Skelton or McDermott to establish who is the best heavyweight in Britain, with the winner going on to a world title fight - which is what it is all about."
