Harrison at the centre of television issues once more

By Ben Carey

Speculation that Frank Warren’s relationship with Setanta Sports could be in the balance has gathered pace following Sports Network’s decision to postpone Saturday’s show featuring the return of Enzo Maccarinelli and Audley Harrison vs Martin Rogan in Birmingham due to “TV scheduling issues”.

The bill at the Aston Events Centre was due to be screened live on Setanta Sports 2. The broadcaster’s premier sports channel, Setanta Sports 1, which usually televises live boxing, has ironically been reserved to screen the first round of Aston Villa’s Intertoto Cup adventure away at Danish side Odense.

Not for the first time, Olympic champion Harrison would appear to have fallen foul of a decision made by television bosses. At 36, the former Olympic champion can ill afford any delays in his stalling quest to secure a shot at the world heavyweight title. Unlike when Harrison was ditched by the BBC in 2004 though, reading between the lines, Saturday’s “TV scheduling” issues seem to be between Warren and Setanta.

McDermott confident of wrecking Williams’ world title dream

Danny Williams knows he is just one punch away from a world heavyweight title fight against WBC champion Samuel Peter.

To reach his dream, the south Londoner has to come through a British heavyweight title defence against John McDermott at Dagenham, England’s Goresbrook Leisure Centre on Friday night.

Williams, 39-6 (31), has often been accused of lacking motivation, but promised he’s in the sort of form that destroyed Mike Tyson almost four years ago.

Danny, 35, said: “This is the news that I have always wanted to hear. I know I can join the elite of the heavyweight division. This fight is all the motivation I needed.”