After more than a decade of public feuding, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua faced off at a news conference in London, exchanging pleasantries and jokes. The British heavyweight rivals will fight at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on 11 December. The launch felt like two veterans taking stock. Fury, 38, called Joshua a role model. Joshua, 36, spoke of the event's magnitude. The face-off included Joshua pretending to tickle Fury's stomach. MC Michael Buffer introduced them with fireworks. Fury wore an emerald-green suit; Joshua a grey tracksuit. Fans sang "Oh Anthony Joshua".

They discussed their 2010 sparring session. Fury suggested he got the better of it; a fan shouted "liar". Fury said the fight is "icing on the cake". They traded insults: Fury said Joshua falls over when cracked; Joshua shouted "Get up". The fight is for the vacant WBA 'super' heavyweight title, though Murat Gassiev's team objected. Joshua revealed a call about Fury's name appearing first; Fury replied "I've checkmated you". Earlier, Dana White's role threatened to overshadow.