COLIN KENNA and Audley Harrison have finally gone head to head in a ring - but so far it's only in sparring!

Southampton's big heavyweight hope Kenna has been using the Olympic super heavyweight champion to help put the final touches to training for his next pro bout against Paul Buttery at Preston Guildhall a week today.

And so far Kenna - the brother of former Saints fullback Jeff - has been more than holding his own.

Manager Jack Bishop said: "We have been up at his gym in Maidenhead all week and will probably be there over the weekend as well.

"Colin is absolutely loving it and it is also obviously doing him a lot of good.

"I didn't tell him in advance and the look on his face was a picture when he arrived and saw the Olympic champion."

Bishop admitted he was impressed by Harrison's athleticism, despite his huge 18st frame.

He added: "You see Audley on television and he looks big, but in the flesh he is even bigger.

"He has such a long reach. But I've been delighted with Colin. He is holding his own quite well and I am very pleased with him."

The respective professional careers of Harrison and Kenna have so far mirrored one another.

Both are unbeaten after seven fights, although at 26, Dublin-born Kenna has the advantage of five extra years on his side.

The Southampton fighter has also confidently predicted he could beat Harrison.

Kenna has won his last two fights with impressive knockouts after unleashing what is fast becoming known as 'Colin's hammer' - a devastating right hand.

But his fight next Friday against Lancashire-based Buttery promises to be the toughest of his career.

Buttery and Kenna have had two common opponents - Tony Booth, who both fighters beat on points and Eamonn Glennon, who Kenna also beat on points, but Buttery stopped in just one round.

Bishop said: "It will be the first southpaw Colin has faced and that is why Harrison is an ideal sparring partner.

"We have also been working with WBF European heavyweight champion Michael Sprott, who has been imitating the southpaw style.

"Buttery has fought the same number as Colin and only lost once and he will be fighting in front of his home fans in what is a big venue.

"It will be a good experience for Colin and I am confident he will handle it and come through."

A large following of fans from Southampton and Ireland are expected to make the trip to Preston to lend the popular fighter their support.

A gruelling training programme has helped Kenna back into tip-top condition after taking time out for what he admits was a Guinness-enhanced wedding and honeymoon.

Bishop has also been taking the promising Michael Mathewsian to Maidenhead for sparring with Sprott in preparation for a professional debut at Southampton Guildhall early next year.

Totton's Danny Cooper is also training hard for a return to the ring in Southampton after a ten-year absence.

And Bishop reported that popular local fighter 'Gypsy' Joe Brame is back in training.

The 26-year-old has been welcomed back, but told that he must lose weight.