Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are set to hold their first joint press conference in London on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in the build-up to their heavyweight blockbuster. Sky Sports analyst Matthew Macklin has offered insight into what observers should expect when the two British rivals come face to face for the first time in a formal setting ahead of their contest.
The December 11 bout at Cardiff's Principality Stadium will be contested for the vacant WBA "super" heavyweight title, with the fight receiving a global Netflix broadcast. The event represents the culmination of lengthy negotiations that began when Fury and Joshua signed contracts in April, though venue disputes delayed confirmation until recently.
Macklin believes the press conference carries considerable significance beyond mere formality.
The psychological, mental aspect of boxing is huge. It's an individual sport - one on one - so if you can get into the other guy's head and help put him in a negative headspace, you're halfway there.
The mental dimension of combat sport extends beyond the ring itself.
Confidence is key. And if someone's struggling with confidence, if you can put some seeds of doubt in their mind, that's a real benefit to you.
With substantial financial rewards and reputational stakes involved, tensions have already begun to surface.
There's a lot on the line. A lot of people involved, a lot of money, a lot of pride, a lot of ego, so there's already cracks appearing left, right and centre.
Macklin anticipates that Fury will employ his characteristic confrontational approach during the proceedings.
Fury will certainly be trying every trick in the book.He expects security and handlers to maintain order throughout.
There will be people there who will try and control things as best they can, trying to make sure that nothing physical happens. But I'd expect Fury to be animated.
Joshua, by contrast, may adopt a different strategy.
Joshua less so. I wouldn't have said that the psychological warfare was as big a part of AJ's game as it is Fury's. I don't think he's as well versed in it.
Restraint can sometimes prove advantageous in such circumstances.
But sometimes not engaging can be good, it can sort of give you the edge - like Carl Froch the second time round with George Groves.Macklin drew a parallel to Froch's strategic evolution between his two contests with Groves.
I think he realised that for the first fight he wasted so much energy on things and fell into the traps that George was setting.
The former fighter referenced a famous cinematic line to illustrate the principle.
I think was it Michael Corleone [in The Godfather III] who said, "Never hate your enemies, it affects your judgment". And I think, certainly with Froch the first time round, that was a factor.Froch's subsequent approach proved more measured.
Ahead of the second fight, he just chose to disengage. So maybe AJ will do similar and choose to not get involved?
Despite the potential for drama and confrontation, Macklin remains confident the event will proceed as scheduled.
I think we'll get there. I think the fight will go ahead, but I do think there'll be some twists and turns and bumps in the road on the way.
Recent weeks have seen complications emerge in the lead-up to the contest. Fury claimed Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn were attempting to withdraw, citing disputes over UFC president Dana White's promotional involvement, though Joshua's camp indicated they expected the bout to proceed.
The two heavyweights bring contrasting records to their meeting. Fury holds a professional record of 36-2-1 with 25 knockouts, while Joshua carries a record of 30-4 with 27 knockouts. The fighters' only previous time in the ring together was a sparring session in 2010, making this their first professional encounter.
What happens next
The joint press conference is scheduled for September 30 at 6 p.m. BST at British Airways ARC in London, with proceedings to be livestreamed on Netflix's YouTube channel. The two fighters will then prepare for their December 11 clash at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
