Tyson Fury saving fighting for the ring against Dillian Whyte

Tyson Fury showed off his “diplomatic” side as he and Dillian Whyte played peacemakers after tensions rose and threatened to boil over between the fighters’ entourages.

Both heavyweights are renowned for their unpredictable natures and there was uncertainty at how Wednesday’s final pre-fight press conference would unfold as Whyte finally came face-to-face with Fury.

However, the pair were complimentary towards each other, even shaking hands after a staredown that was interrupted by Fury’s father John and a member of Whyte’s camp having a heated exchange on stage.

As matters threatened to escalate, three days out from Fury defending his WBC title against Whyte at Wembley Stadium this weekend, it was left to the combatants to defuse the situation.

“Sometimes you have to be a bit diplomatic,” said Fury (31-0-1, 22KOs) after the press conference. “Both teams were up on the stage so it was up to me to calm it all down and sort it out.

“Both men are getting paid to do a fight, why do it for free three days before? There would be no point paying to see it. Let’s save it all for the night and not all end up in a police van.”

Whyte swerved the press conference to officially announce the fight last month and was absent for Tuesday’s open workout session, so Fury was happy to belatedly see his former sparring partner.

“It was nice to see Dillian after so long,” said Fury. “It’s been seven years since I last saw him, it was good.”

Around 94,000 spectators are expected to be at England’s national football stadium on Saturday night, setting a new British post-war record, where Whyte (28-2, 19KOs) is widely regarded as the underdog.

But Fury, ahead of making the second defence of the title he claimed two years ago, insisted he has left