Danny Williams was conspicuous by his absence

Commonwealth heavyweight champion Williams walked out on a planned head-to-head with Matt Skelton ahead of Saturday's London's ExCel arena date.

Trainer Jim McDonnell said Williams had gone to pray at his mosque after Skelton was delayed in traffic.

Warren said: "For Danny to storm off is very unprofessional, and I shall be having words with him about it."

Williams also refused to participate in a news conference prior to his meeting with Audley Harrison last December.

After being castigated by promoter Warren for his late arrival, an apologetic Skelton denied he was seeking a psychological edge.

Skelton said: "He obviously thought I did it deliberately to mess him around, but that's not my game.

"I don't think it's a sign of his mental state. I respect his religion if he's gone to pray.

"I've also got a lot of respect for Danny and I don't think it's in either of our make-up to bad-mouth each other."

When we initially sat down the only belt in question was the Commonwealth British heavyweight champion Matt Skelton Skelton disputes Williams claims

Skelton's British title will not be up for grabs in Saturday's showdown, although the domestic title will be declared vacant by the British Boxing Board of Control if he loses to Williams.

The Bedford-based Skelton was not prepared to put his title on the line in a voluntary defence of the title.

When the fight with Skelton was agreed, Williams was suspended by the BBBC from fighting for the British title after a late withdrawal from the original date last July.

Williams cited sickness after the weigh-in, and although the ban was lifted last month Skelton must fight a mandatory challenge to claim outright ownership of a Lonsdale belt.

Skelton said: "When we initially sat down the only belt in question was the Commonwealth. None of my British title defences have been mandatory and the Board don't see fit to award me the belt to keep."