Smiles and respect as Fury and Joshua have first face off ahead of December fight

LONDON, Sept 30 : Former heavyweight world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua came face to face on Wednesday as their long-awaited clash finally looked real after years of doubt, even in recent days, that they would ever get it together.

The pair, 38 and 36 years old respectively and veterans some way past their prime, are due to meet at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on December 11 with tickets going on sale on October 9.

Appearing together at a London 'news conference' - although the only reporter who tried to ask a question from the floor was told 'no journalists' by Joshua - the two big men showed mutual respect mixed with fighting talk and occasional digs at each other without losing their calm.

With doors also opened to the public and a rowdy crowd in attendance for a show with lights and fireworks, Joshua called for a minute's silence for two close friends killed in a car crash in Nigeria late last year.

The catcalls and heckling stopped immediately, the Olympia hall completely hushed as the time ticked past.

OLD SPARRING STORIES AND BLACK EYES 

Fury, the 'Gypsy King', was asked earlier about singing Joshua's praises after a sparring session years ago when his opponent was still in the amateur ranks and when he offered him a Rolex watch if he could knock him down.

"Guess what? I left that building with a Rolex on," said Fury with a smile. Joshua, in dark glasses and a white T-shirt, added his own postscript that Fury had also left with a black eye.

The respectful mood continued, with Fury shunning much of his usual bombast: "This man is a two-time heavyweight world champion, Olympic gold medallist and he has been a role model and a poster boy for British boxing for years," he declared of Joshua.

"I mostly find myself