British heavyweight rivals, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, came face-to-face for the first time on Wednesday as they officially began the build-up to their long-awaited December 11 showdown, with the pair later exchanging heated words over who should be regarded as the A-side.
Fury and Joshua shared the stage at a packed British Airways ARC in London, where their much-anticipated bout was formally announced after years of failed attempts to make the fight happen.
The event was largely cordial until the discussion turned to the fighters’ billing and contractual demands, with Fury insisting that his name should come first.
“When I look behind me, I only see one don, Fury v AJ, I ain’t paying, son,” Fury said.
“I don’t make a thing about this b*******, but when I walk out, it’s Tyson Fury against his opponent; I thought I’d highlight that.”
Fury also took aim at Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, saying, “Eddie Hearn is just a sausage. I’ve never won a world title here [in the UK], just remember GK is No.1, the boss.”
He added, “Eddie don’t like that, he don’t like that. I haven’t got a problem with Eddie; I’d go for a pint with Eddie. He’s been a good promoter; he’s sung your praises. But he’s been crying.”
Joshua, who has repeatedly referred to himself as the “landlord” during the build-up, revealed that he had been told Fury wanted his name listed first.
“I got a phone call the other night, and they said, ‘Do you mind if Fury’s name goes first, because he’s unwilling to sign unless he does’,” Joshua said.
Fury responded, “B******! B******! B******!” before accusing Joshua’s camp of trying to prolong the dispute.
“Behind the scenes, you’ve been crying like little girls over A-sides and B-sides. I want this, I want that! You have tried everything to get out of this fight, every move in the book. And now I’ve checkmated you!”
The tension later eased when the two fighters stood nose-to-nose for a staredown.
Joshua then broke the seriousness of the moment by tickling Fury, prompting the former champion to laugh.
The December 11 bout will finally see Fury and Joshua settle their long-running rivalry in the ring after years of negotiations and failed attempts to make the heavyweight clash.
