Fury, Joshua Set For 1st Face-Off Ahead Of Heavyweight Clash

British heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are set to face the media for the first time on Wednesday ahead of their eagerly anticipated heavyweight showdown, following the resolution of issues surrounding the promotional event.

According to Sky Sports, the two fighters will appear at a press conference at the British Airways ARC at the Olympia in London ahead of their scheduled fight at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Joshua and Fury’s promoters, Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, are also expected to attend the event, where the two fighters will have their first pre-fight face-off.

The press conference had been uncertain after Hearn said over the weekend that no arrangements had been confirmed for the media event. However, an agreement has now been reached to allow promotional activities for the bout to proceed.

The development comes days after Fury raised fresh doubts over the fight, claiming there was only a “one per cent” chance of him facing Joshua next.

Fury questioned why a showdown with Joshua had repeatedly failed to materialise despite his long career against other heavyweight champions.

“I’ve had nearly 40 professional fights, yeah, and I’ve been on top of this game for over a decade,” Fury said in an interview with FurociTV.

“How did I manage to fight all these people before you, all these champions, yeah, for all these titles that there is in boxing, but, yeah, every time it comes to fighting [Joshua]… it never happens. Has anyone ever asked themselves why?”

Meanwhile, Hearn had questioned whether Fury had enrolled in the required pre-fight drug-testing programme. Fury’s manager subsequently confirmed to Sky Sports that the former heavyweight champion had enrolled six days earlier than required.

The bout is also reportedly set to have the WBA ‘Super’ heavyweight title at stake, adding another incentive for Fury and Joshua.

Fury said the additional title would increase the significance of the fight, with the winner potentially becoming a three-time heavyweight champion.

The London press conference will mark the first major public meeting between Fury and Joshua since their blockbuster all-British fight was officially confirmed last week.