BRIAN McDERMOTT is not being swayed by Henry Wharton's apparent flu virus ahead of their fundraising fight tonight – saying he'll have a few of his Leeds Rhinos big-guns ready to step in if he takes too much of a beating.

The Rhinos head coach, an ex-Marine and Great Britain international prop, is no stranger to the boxing ring, having fought professionally in years past and more recently in occasional charity bouts.

And he quipped that York legend Wharton's claims of illness might just be old-fashioned gamesmanship ahead of their exhibition showdown at Henry's Gym in Acomb.

"I've been full of flu this week but it won't stop me getting in," said Wharton, one of the global stars of British boxing's 1990s heyday. "I just hope Brian goes easy on me."

However, McDermott responded: "I'm having none of that. I watched him move around the ring the other day – he'll be okay. I'm hoping he'll take care of me.

"Two or three players promised to come down and give me support and if I start to get beat up, they have to come in and help."

McDermott, joking aside, has sung Wharton's praises as "one of boxing's good guys".

The pair know each other as the Rhinos boss often trains with Ripon-based Ron Hopley, an old stable-mate – and still close friend and fellow coach – of Wharton.

As such he has trained at Henry's Gym before and been coached by Wharton himself.

He has to turn down most requests to take part in charity bouts but accepted Wharton's challenge to spar with him to help raise money to send Henry's Gym youngsters to a tournament in Denmark.

McDermott said: "It's obviously a fantastic cause. There can perhaps be a seedy side to the boxing world but Henry's one of the people who's involved for the right reasons.

"He's intelligent and knows right from wrong and then you look at the humility he's got, considering he's been right at the top of the game – a real fans' favourite who could mix it with the best."

Asked how many rounds the fight would last, McDermott joked that if it went beyond four he would demand double his expenses – "an extra couple of beers".

He added: "I just hope it will be a good night and the event gets lots of support. We'll be trading punches but as long as Henry sticks by his contractual obligation not to hit me too hard, it'll be okay."