Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou – Press conference LIVE: ‘Battle of the Baddest’ fighters

But an interesting moment as Fury, joking around, calls for the event to be a ‘war’.

Ngannou, who suddenly injects some frustration into his voice, says: ‘Oh, you’ll get a war’. Could they be ready to stand and deliver in the centre of the ring, throwing shots upon shots?

My hunch is, Ngannou is and Fury isn’t. Fury will want to just stay out of the way.

Not sure about that, Tyson.

Not anything too outrageous has been said so far…

If we were to take a shot every time they thanked ‘his Excellency’, we’d be plastered.

Fury’s called Ngannou a ‘big dosser’. That’s another one off the Fury bingo card.

His dad John starting a fight on someone 30 years younger?

Oh no, he’s just yelled at Ngannou to get his manhood out.

This is fulfilling a lifelong dream for Ngannou, to get in the boxing ring and face the best.

He insists history is about to be made. ‘I can’t stop thinking about it!’

Ngannou adds: ‘I’m going to be hunting for that guy’s head, to take it off.’

Don’t get me wrong, these fellas are massive. Big, big blokes. Big punchers. But surely Ngannou won’t be able to hit him?

Conor McGregor didn’t really hit Floyd Mayweather and it feels like this will be similar.

That’s what Ngannou’s adviser Marquel Martin says. They’re honoured and thankful to be there and receive by far the biggest pay-day of their careers.

Martin reckons if, and it’s a big if, Ngannou lands a punch on Fury’s chin, Fury’s going to sleep.

That’s probably true. But frankly I don’t see Ngannou getting close.

That according to Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren. He’s talking up his man Tyson Fury despite, seemingly, ducking the actual most-decorated heavyweight in the world, Oleksandr Usyk.

Instead he’s taking a sell-out crossover against someone who’s barely stepped in a boxing ring for three months.

This is going to ‘ex-ci-ting!’, adds Frank.

OOOHHH, the Riyadh Championship Belt is on the line! What every boxer grows up dreaming of winning.

Not sure about the MC. He’s no Michael Buffer. More spiel now about the glorious and wonderful and brilliant Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The same Saudi Arabia, incidentally, that has been widely criticised for its numerous human rights abuses, persecution of gay people, minorities, and women, mass executions, lack of press freedom, and censorship.

…some random bloke is thanking some other random blokes before we can begin. Get on with it!

Ngannou’s adviser comes onto the stage, followed by promoter Bob Arum and Frank Warren.

The live coverage from the media bods on the red carpet has stopped and we’re now just waiting for the press conference to begin…

They’re keeping us waiting at the moment!

Hopefully it won’t be too much longer.

Hopefully we’ll find out immimently…

Everyone’s sat down and waiting expectantly for the next ridiculous thing Tyson Fury is going to do.

Will he dress up as Batman?

Will he say something offensive (again)?

Will he square up to Ngannou?

Stick around to find out…

Their fight was just about to be announced on the undercard. Both spoke to the media on the red carpet and the needle between them so far has obviously boiled over.

Tyson Fury jokes ‘that fight has stolen my thunder – I’ll have to have a word!’

That’s one why to promote a fight.

It’s all kicking off on the red carpet. Fabio Wardley has received a cut after a scuffle with his future opponent David Adeleye!

He’s wearing an absolutely horrendously loud suit. At least he won’t get run over.

He says: ‘There’s always pressure. But I THRIVE under pressure!’

How are you going to deal with Francis?

‘KNOCK HIM OUT!’ Cheers for the tactical insight there, Tyson.

‘Is that why you’re taking this risk?’, Tyson is asked.

Hahahaha. What a joke. If Fury wanted to take a risk, he’d fight an actual boxer, for example Oleksandr Usyk.

Easy for him to lob insults at the Ukrainian – who holds three heavyweight title belts to his ONE, by the way, while facing a non-boxer in a boxing ring. He’s taking the massive payday knowing there’s no risk Ngannou lays a glove on him.

His boxing career, in my opinion, is essentially over already. He obviously doesn’t want to fight Usyk so he’s just taken the Floyd Mayweather route of fighting people he knows he’ll beat to pad his record and earn wads of cash before he retires.

The Man United legend is discussing the upcoming press conference and he reckons it will be respectful.

Knowing Tyson Fury, I can’t imagine that. He’s going to try to get under the former UFC star’s skin.

Rio points out the obvious – all the pressure is on Tyson.

Around 10 minutes until the press conference gets underway!

Undefeated Brit Fabio Wardley in the mixed zone at the moment…

‘He won’t get ANYTHING from me (in the press conference).

‘(Training) is very different. You start feeling your shoulders, my shoulders are sore.’

‘Why should there be pressure on somebody? At this point in life, I’m living the dream. The only pressure that is on me is to give everything. I’m good.’

(On Mike Tyson being in his camp) ‘I’ve learned a lot of things. To have him this time around… he’s not here just to watch, he’s here to help me, giving me instructions. It’s Mike Tyson, I’m not tripping, this is real!

‘That’s how big this is. He’s the best that has ever lived, he has a lot of respect for Tyson Fury as a fighter but he’s in my corner. He’s chosen his side! There are a lot of things I’m learning from him.’

British heavyweight Joe Joyce, towering over 5ft 5ins Northern Irishman Carl Frampton in the interview section, insists he can win his rematch against 40-year-old Chinese boxer Zhilei Zhang.

They face off on Saturday September 23.

Joyce adds he’d potentially be keen for a crossover fight like Fury v Ngannou. And speaking of which…

Former The Only Way Is Essex cast member Mark Wright and former Wycombe Wanderers striker Adebayo Akinfenwa are currently having their say on the fight on the red carpet.

In case you were wondering…

I wouldn’t want to get into the ring with big man Bayo to be fair!

Here we’ll be covering the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou press conference tonight!