Fury vs Joshua: Heavyweights trade jokes at launch event - BBC Sport
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Fury and Joshua: A History of Rivalry and Respect
By Kal Sajad, BBC Sport boxing journalist at British Airways ARC, London
After more than a decade of public feuding and false starts, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua exchanged pleasantries, traded jokes, and even discussed sharing a pint at a news conference in London. The British heavyweight rivals will square off at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on December 11.
Despite the history between them, the launch felt more like two veterans reflecting on their careers.
"He's been a role model and poster boy for British boxing for years," Fury, 38, said of Joshua. "I mostly find myself defending my arch rival to fans in the street."
On Monday, doubts remained over whether the fight would materialize due to contractual disagreements. But on Wednesday, Joshua, 36, spoke about the significance of the event.
"It's breathtaking," he said, "and I'm not saying that lightly. I'm truly grateful for this opportunity and bringing it to Great Britain because I know people in pubs have had proper fights about who will win, and family members have fallen out."
The mood was summed up when Joshua playfully tickled Fury's stomach at the face-off.
Relive Fury & Joshua's jovial news conference | Fury & Joshua in London for news conference as doubts ease
There was something almost ethereal about seeing Fury and Joshua finally sitting side by side after years of interviews, social media, and failed negotiations. Both arrived hours earlier for one-on-one interviews. When the conference began, master of ceremonies Michael Buffer introduced them as fireworks shot up from the stage.
They entered from opposite sides at the same time—Joshua relaxed and composed in a grey tracksuit and sunglasses, Fury in a vibrant emerald-green suit adorned with crown motifs over a white shirt.
Alongside the world's media, several hundred fans filled the balcony above, eagerly showing their support for "Oh Anthony Joshua."
Joshua has been credited with ensuring the fight remained in Britain, and he's expected to have strong backing in Cardiff, even with the main event potentially starting at 02:00 GMT to suit American audiences.
For two men whose names have been intertwined for so long, Fury and Joshua have spent remarkably little time together. But their famous sparring session in 2010, when Joshua was still an amateur, soon became the topic of conversation.
Fury suggested he had gotten the better of the session, saying, "I was winning that fight, believe me. He's a good fighter, but I was winning."