Audley Harrison insists he has not surrendered his independence by agreeing to fight for his big critic Frank Warren when he meets Danny Williams.

Tackling the man who beat Mike Tyson on Warren's 25th anniversary show as a promoter is simply a business opportunity which will take him closer to his ambition of challenging for the world heavyweight title, claims the Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medallist.

''The fight is agreed in principle,'' said Harrison who says he is satisfied with the money and the fact that Warren has not requested options on his career.

''The money is agreed. There is no co-promotion, this is a Sports Network show but there are no options. It's a one-off but if it goes well there could be more. It's about free trade and I'm still independent.

''I'm looking for a name on my record and Williams, as a former world title challenger, fits the bill,'' he said.

Harrison, who will meet Williams at London's ExCel Centre on December 10. is also adamant he is not returning because his career is failing to take off in the States, where he has had just two fights.

He has had stoppage victories over Robert Davis and Robert Wiggins since relocating to Las Vegas when the BBC pulled the plug on him in June last year.

''I've got lots of options in the States and my people there have warned me not to risk this fight,'' said Harrison, who took a pot-shot at his old paymasters.

''This fight could have happened two years ago. My company A-Force and Lion, who promoted Danny Williams at the time, had everything in place but the BBC failed to come up with the money,'' he claimed.

The fight will feature alongside British heavyweight champion Matt Skelton's clash with Kevin McBride.