Sports · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
Tyson Fury And Anthony Joshua Trade Jokes At London Press Conference Ahead Of December 11 Fight
Fury and Joshua faced off in London, smiling and joking at the press conference. The fight is scheduled for December 11 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
Joshua’s camp ties training/people together vs Fury framing “landlords/rent” negotiations.
2 of 4 outlets skipped it: dana White will not attend the press conference.
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Same story, two versions
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The Guardian
“‘I speak to Peter Fury,’ Joshua said before the fight’s first press conference on Wednesday evening in London.”Read the original ↗
One story spotlights family/training links; the other spotlights commercial taunts over negotiations.
Pleasantries in London
Tyson Fury, 38, and Anthony Joshua, 36, exchanged pleasantries and traded jokes at a news conference in London as fireworks shot up from the front of the stage. Fury said of Joshua, "He's been a role model and poster boy for British boxing for years," and Joshua replied by smiling and pretending to tickle Fury's stomach. Joshua told the crowd, "It's breathtaking and I'm not saying that lightly," as the British heavyweight rivals formally kicked off the countdown to their fight at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on 11 December.
The launch still carried uncertainty because contractual disagreements surrounded the promotion, even after master of ceremonies Michael Buffer introduced the pair as they entered from opposite sides at the same time. Fury framed the meeting as a late-career milestone, saying, "It's the icing on the cake of two great careers," while Joshua discussed the magnitude of the event and how people in pubs had debated who would win.
Ego, absence, and titles
Dana White insisted the Fury vs Joshua delay was a "total ego thing" and said he would not be at the press conference in London.
White told reporters, "There’s no confusion whatsoever," and he added, "It’s happening. It’s done," as he argued the dispute had been driven by ego.
Fury and Joshua still faced questions about the fight's title arrangement, with the BBC noting the bout was reported as being for the vacant WBA 'super' heavyweight title.
Murat Gassiev's team lodged a formal objection over the proposed title arrangement, and the BBC described uncertainty over whether the fight would happen because of contractual disagreements surrounding the promotion.
Fury and Joshua also traded barbs over promotion details, with Fury replying to Joshua about the order of names in the promotion: "You've been crying behind the scenes to get out of this fight. I've checkmated you. You have to fight," while Joshua spoke about the magnitude of the event.
Guinness talk and what’s at stake
Joshua revealed he was in contact with Tyson Fury’s uncle Peter, saying, "I speak to Peter Fury," as he described how Peter was willing to help him as well. Joshua said, "He’s willing to help me as well," and he added that he would speak to Peter Fury before he fights Tyson Fury. Fury responded by saying, "I hope after this fight we can have a pint of Guinness together," and Joshua paused to reply, "I don’t know if I can trust you."
The fight is set for Cardiff's Principality Stadium on 11 December, and the BBC described how the event had transformed into a heavyweight showdown with the WBA 'super' heavyweight title reported to be at stake. Fury promised an aggressive finish, saying, "I’m going to blast him out," while Joshua said, "I don’t expect anything else from this man than him saying he’s going to render me unconscious."