Fury vs Joshua press conference LIVE: Latest updates as heavyweight rivals break silence before famous bout
Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua press conference LIVE
The long-awaited day is finally upon us - after years of acrimony and build-up, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are finally due to face off in London ahead of their heavyweight bout this December. The fight is years in the making and will finally be staged later this year in Cardiff in what will likely be the most hotly anticipated fight in British boxing history.
There was even doubt as to whether this press conference would take place, but now Fury has submitted to voluntary anti-doping testing, it is due to go ahead as scheduled. There is plenty of controversy still to unpack, though, with Eddie Hearn fuming at Dana White’s supposed involvement in the fight. The UFC mogul is not expected to be in attendance today.
All being well, the animosity will be contained to the two fighters as they set out their stalls ahead of this fight. Follow LIVE updates from the press conference below with dedicated blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from our reporter Matt Verri at the Olympia.
Fury vs Joshua press conference latest updates
Live updates
Here we go!
We’re off! Michael Buffer takes to the stage...
The man of the hour
Turki Al-Sheikh, purportedly the brains behind this fight, has touched down at Olympia London.
Matt Verri at the Olympia
Here we go. Michael Buffer has appeared at the side of the stage. Turki Alalshikh is also in the building, watching on from the seats below. Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren have taken their places. Just the small matter of the fighters now...
Matt Verri at the Olympia
Fury’s manager Spencer Brown has been sat on his seat on the stage for about ten minutes. No sign yet of Frank Warren or Fury, or indeed anyone from Joshua’s side. Think it’s fair to say we won’t be starting on time, to the surprise of nobody.
They have started putting water bottles out on the stage, though, so that’s progress.
A closer look at the arena...
Less than ten minutes until we get underway!
Matt Verri at the Olympia
Will be interesting to see how they both play it tonight. Sure Fury will try to be the entertainer, and try his best to wind up both Joshua and Eddie Hearn. I’d be surprised if Joshua takes any of that bait this evening, he’s usually very calm and relaxed in these settings. Most of the back and forth might well be between Fury and Hearn.
Frank Warren arrives on the scene
Start time update
We are hearing this evening’s proceedings will get underway at around 6pm BST, rather than 5.45pm.
How did we get here?
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury both staged a preliminary fight earlier this year which they had to win to declare themselves contractually eligible for this bout.
For Fury, that took the form of a charity bout against Mariusz Wach in Thailand. It was a routine enough win there, with the big Pole dropping out in the seventh round.
And for Joshua, there was a dramatic meeting with Kristian Prenga in Riyadh. He was dropped twice in the first round, but roared back in the second round to knock out his opponent.
That takes us to Cardiff on December 11!
Matt Verri at the Olympia
It took five bags checks and one British heavyweight - who will remain unnamed - cutting in the queue, but I have finally made it inside for the press conference. Already hundred of media here and fans have also had the chance to get tickets. Going to get very loud this evening, as it always does when Tyson Fury is involved.