Two Russian businessmen were involved in a scuffle during a taping of a television show about the global financial crisis, observers say.

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Newspaper owner Alexander Lebedev repeatedly hit real estate developer Sergei Polonsky, sending him to the ground Friday, The Moscow Times reported Sunday.

The show, "NTVshniki," was scheduled to air uncut late Sunday. Polonsky criticized fellow panelists on the show, saying their comments put him "in a mind to punch someone's face."

Lebedev asked whether the remark was aimed at him, at which point he hit Polonsky several times in the head. Polonsky said he would have no comment until the show had aired.

Lebedev owns Britain's The Independent and Evening Standard and is reportedly worth $2.1 billion. Polonsky, once listed as a billionaire, took a hit in 2008 with the recession and is now reportedly worth about $200 million.