After more than a decade of public feuding and repeated delays, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua presented a united front at a news conference in London, trading jokes and discussing the possibility of sharing a drink.
The two British heavyweights are set to face off at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on 11 December. Despite lingering uncertainty regarding promotional contracts in the days leading up to the event, the launch was characterized by warmth rather than hostility, reflecting two veterans taking stock of their storied 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.”
Joshua, 36, emphasized the cultural significance of the matchup. “It’s breathtaking and I’m not saying that lightly,” he said. “I’m really 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 atmosphere turned surreal as the two finally sat side by side, a stark contrast to their rivalry which has largely played out through media interviews and failed negotiations. Introduced by Michael Buffer amidst fireworks, Fury made a flamboyant entrance in an emerald-green suit adorned with crown motifs, while Joshua appeared relaxed in a grey tracksuit and sunglasses.
The conversation drifted to their famous 2010 sparring session, during which Joshua was still an amateur. Fury claimed victory in that encounter, prompting a fan to shout “Liar,” to which Joshua smiled and admitted he could not recall the details clearly.
When addressing critics who feel the fight is happening too late, Fury described it as “the icing on the cake of two great careers,” glancing at the word “Finally” displayed on the screen behind them. The pair also found common ground on personal matters, with Fury nodding in agreement as Joshua spoke about his Christian faith.
Tensions briefly flared when Joshua revealed that Fury’s team had asked for his name to be listed first on promotional materials. “You’ve been crying behind the scenes to get out of this fight. I’ve checkmated you. You have to fight,” Fury replied. However, the moment passed quickly, and Fury even referenced Joshua’s catchphrase, joking, “When I crack him on the jaw with a big right hand, he’s going down.”
Questions surrounding UFC executive Dana White’s involvement in the promotion were also addressed. While Netflix had highlighted White as a promoter alongside Turki Alalshikh’s The Ring, White did not attend the launch. Alalshikh received mixed reactions from the crowd when thanked from the stage.
The event concluded with an olive branch from Fury, who invited Joshua and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn for a pint of Guinness after the fight. “Win, lose or draw, let’s bury the hatchet,” Fury said. Joshua responded with humor, replying, “I don’t know if I can trust you.”
For now, the overriding mood is one of relief, with both fighters eager to let the contest settle years of speculation.
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