By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER
Updated:
Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest updates from London as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua come face-to-face for the first time since mega-fight was agreed.
Two months to go
Right, that’s it for today.
The first presser is over and now we have two months to wait until we see both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua go face-to-face again.
Let’s hope the next time they face off and have words, it’s a bit more fiery and feisty. That was all too nice for me.
Anyway, thanks for joining us for this live coverage and I will see you all very soon.
Goodnight.
‘Battle of Britain’
OK, I see it now.
We were all a bit bemused by the belt that was being held above Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua during their face off. many believed it was the British title belt.
But no, its a specially made ‘Battle of Britain’ belt that has been created for this very fight.
If only these were for proper world titles, eh? Oh wait, apparently there will be one… the WBA belt.
So why have they made this one?
‘Fury always answers the call’
Lennox Lewis, former undisputed heavyweight world champion, on Netflix:
[Fury] has answered the call [for British boxing]. Deontay [Wilder] came over here and said he wanted the best British fighter and Tyson Fury answered the call. He went over to America and beat him twice, and they were legacy fights, great fights. He answered the call for the British fans, that he’s number one and he’s willing to go and fight.
It’s on
I don’t think there are many doubts anymore…
The fight we have been waiting 10 years for between the two best British heavyweights of this generation is well and truly on.
And the fighters are clearly buzzing about it.
‘A really odd presser’
Steve Bunce, Boxing commentator, on BBC Radio 5 Live
They both told me this afternoon when I sat down with them, that it’s going to be edgy and very fiery. A volcano might erupt said Tyson Fury.
But the two of them swapped a few insults for a few minutes and then they were polite, they were really kind with each other. Really respectful. It was really odd.
Press conference recap
Right, there was both a lot and nothing that happened there… if you get what I mean.
A very nice and chill press conference, which is not what anyone was expecting.
Here are the best lines from the presser:
- ‘During the time that AJ became world champion, I was getting drunk every day and taking cocaine every week.’ – Fury
- ‘We arrive at this moment; is it too late? Is it f*** too late? It’s the icing on the cake, and may the best man win. Let’s go out swinging.’ – Fury
- ‘I know in pubs people have had proper fights about who is going to win between me and Tyson, I know family members have fallen out. And I know we are going to inspire the next generation.’ – Joshua
- ‘You have this guy carved out of stone like an Olympian made of marble, but every time he gets cracked on the jaw, he falls over.’ – Fury
- ‘Behind the scenes, you have been crying like little girls. You have tried everything to get out of this fight; there is no more running.’ – Fury
WATCH: Rivals go toe-to-toe
This is what everyone wanted to see.
This is the moment that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua faced off for the very first time ahead of their massive fight.
And well, it was as respectful as the rest of the presser… very.
A cheeky tickle
It’s all too nice for me.
We have just seen Anthony Joshua tickle Tyson Fury’s belly, and the big man just laughed and smiled before walking away.
No aggro at all, pure respect and no fire.
Surely this bout will spark to life and get spicy when December comes, but let’s see. I really hope so.
Face off time
Here we go.
This is the moment we have all been waiting for.
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury face off for the very first time ahead of this monumental scrap, with Turki Alalshikh holding the British title between them.
They are holding eye contact; they are talking to each other, and there are some nods here too.
This is when the real trash talk starts.
‘This fight can bring Britain happiness’
Spencer Brown, Tyson Fury’s manager:
Britain at the moment is in a bit of a decline; it’s a mess. We are all a bit depressed. I think this fight could bring it back together and give us a bit of happiness at last.
Hearn: ‘We had to fight our corner’
Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua’s promoter:
I’m good; I’m excited. I promise you, this will be the greatest night you have ever had in boxing. This guy [Anthony Joshua] has changed the face of boxing in this country, and so has Tyson Fury.
We are the envy of the boxing world. What we can’t do is take our two biggest-ever fighters in the biggest moment in the sports history in this country and stage it somewhere else. We had to fight our corner. Thank you all to the British public for putting the pressure on.
‘GK is No.1’
More from Tyson Fury:
GK is number one and you don’t own anything. I’m the boss. I would have a beer with Eddie right now. The man is a good promoter and manager but I don’t like his crying.
Have I ever been rude to Eddie? I would go for a beer with you today. Same for you AJ. I don’t know if you drink beer, but I hope we can have a pint of Guinness together after this fight.
