So what was Fury’s spin on the same issue? From his perspective, the fact that he acceded to his opponent’s venue demands shows how desperate he is to take the fight, and supports his preferred narrative that Joshua has been avoiding him all along.
“Whatever they wanted, I’ve just given them,” Fury said. “I’ve had to bend over backwards, I’ve been like putty, Play-Doh, trying to make this fight happen.
“I think the final hurdle has been, ‘oh, we want it in Britain or nothing’. And they thought, ‘Tyson’s not going to come to Britain’. Why wouldn’t I want to come to Britain? OK, checkmate. Now what are you going to say?”
There is much more to be said before the first punch is thrown on December 11. Ultimately, though, we are talking about a substantial pay-out for two boxers who have not beaten anyone relevant in the last five years. Perhaps this was why they both seemed in such buoyant spirits at the Olympia launch.
Asked whether he regretted that this fight has taken so long to set up, Fury said the quiet part out loud. “I don’t regret anything, because it’s finally happening and it probably makes more financial sense now than it ever has done before. That’s what we’re in this sport for.
“You guys get paid to do your job reporting about stuff, but for me, I’m in this game to make money. It’s more money than it ever was before, plus the fact we’ve got the broadcasting giant Netflix streaming it, and plus the fact that Turki Alalshikh has got an open chequebook. It’s never been a better time to be the Don of the division.”