Tyson Fury is standing shirtless, next to his old man, John.
Also shirtless.
Which is some sight.
Especially given Francis Ngannou – that African hero all heavy hands and UFC title, at least right up until quitting his throne for opportunities like this one – is yet to strip off his own electric blue, patterned jacket for the face offs.
Although in a few moments, he will.
Forcing security to then push Fury senior, wonderfully still pointing and jawing, just as he’s done for the past 30 minutes, out of the necessary camera shot.
And all while Mike Tyson, that baddest mother…er who ever lived, stands off the shoulder of Ngannou while shouting for the fourth, maybe fifth time this particular morning: “And neeeeeew …”
All up, a beautiful mess of unpredictable madness.
BOXING: Fury v Ngannou SUN 29th OCT 4AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Much like what is coming Sunday.
For how else do we explain the crossover boxing showdown that is the Gypsy King versus Predator?
A fight that will see Fury, the WBC world champion now, and among the greatest heavyweights ever, throw down against a hulking MMA rival who, while undeniably feared, has never boxed professionally.
Still, his punch has been compared to a Ford Escort travelling at full tilt, right?
Or something like that.
Same as Ngannou — a fella who worked sand mines as a child, who was jailed in Spain and lived rough on the streets in France — was also on a run of six straight wins before quitting his UFC crown for the reported $10 million purse he gets Sunday.
More recently, this longtime UFC favourite also hit a fella so hard in sparring he broke the bloke’s leg.
Or at least that’s how Iron Mike, now in his corner, tried explaining it at an incredibly chaotic press conference in Saudi Arabia, Thursday.
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“Hit some white guy on the chin,” the legend said. “Broke a leg.
“I thought if he can do that, he can be champion of the world.”
Which makes sense.
But the Furys?
They aren’t so convinced.
“I’m gunna knock that big stiff spark out,” Tyson started, microphone in hand, as his old man shouted in the background like a carnival spruiker.
“Go on my son,” John said.
“No matter who he trains with,” Tyson Fury continued. “No matter what he brings …”
“Go on my son.”
“I’m knocking him spark out, game over.
“My right hand is going to detonate in your face, you big ugly dosser.”
Which is pretty much how the Fury clan went through all 30 minutes of this one.
A wonderfully, unstoppable family din which kicked off in the opening exchanges when dad, sporting both a Fu Man Chu moustache and white t-shirt boasting his son’s name, jumped to his feet demanding attention.
Fury reveals specific K.O. tactics | 01:06
“You know what,” John Fury started, looking towards his boy, “give me special mention.
“The man who bred him.
“John Fury.
“Fears no man, fears no man on earth.
“No matter what they’ve done, no matter the accolades, John Fury only fears one person and he’s not even of this world … that’s God Almighty.”
At which point, he then shifted his gaze to that retired champ sat at the opposite end of the table — a man after whom he named his own son.
“Here I am, man,” he shouted towards Iron Mike.
“Any man alive wants to fight John Fury, here I am ready to go.
“Mike Tyson, what have you got to say to that, my brother?”
Of course once, Iron Mike would’ve leapt up and across Bob Arum in an attempt to devour the former bare knuckle boxer whole.
But not today.
“Hey brother,” he replied, “I’m just looking forward to this fight.”
But John Fury wasn’t done.
“Let me tell you my brother,” the old man continued, getting louder again, “the world is gunna see what’s going to happen to your man.
“Your man will get his head boxed off, and stomped at will.
“And if I’m wrong you and me will fight straight after.”
Cue much shouting along the table.
“Tyson Fury, the man of all men,” John could be heard saying above the din. “A man what can’t be culled.
“Ngannou can’t even beat me … and I’m useless.”
“Maybe not you,” Ngannou replied, grinning, “but your son.”
Which then sent Big John off again.
“Take your glasses off son so I can see the fear in your eyes,” he shouted.
“I’m scared of you,” Ngannou laughed. “But your son, I’ll take him out.”
Asked later how he prepared for a challenge like the former UFC heavyweight king, Tyson Fury said: “In American we say a statement like this: “I’m a knock a mother…er out.
‘He’s a problem!’ U.S. divided on Tszyu | 01:35
“And I’ve been working to knock him out cold. And I’ve no doubt I will.
“He’s a big strong guy.
“Got a good punch. Powerful.
“But so am I.
“I’m a big strong guy, powerful, otherwise I wouldn’t be world heavyweight champion.”
Ngannou, meanwhile, spoke of his own journey to this point, and how he had effectively dreamed the moment into reality.
“Manifestation,” Iron Mike yelled.
Same as the fighter dubbed Predator also thanked Fury “for taking the fight, taking the risk”.
“Because there is a lot of risk here,” Ngannou said.
“He might go to sleep. So I appreciate his courage.”
Which again roused Iron Mike to say: “Class guy, class guy”.
Elsewhere, there was also talk about that famed Ngannou power, with Mike Tyson explaining: “Tyson Fury can take a punch, but this is a different punch”.
To which the champ says what?
“I’m ready to rock ‘n’ roll,” replied a fella so confident he already has a unification blockbuster booked against Oleksandr Usyk on December 23.
“I’ve been hit by the biggest punchers to grace the earth. And I’m still standing.
“I’m still number one.
“So we’re going to see what Francis has inside of him.
“We’re going to see if he has the guts to trade with the heavyweight champion of the world.
“We’re going to see if he’s got the belief in his power.
“And I’m not convinced.
“(Laughs) I wasn’t convinced by Deontay Wilder’s power until he knocked me down with it about 14 times. And now I’m convinced.
“So we’ll see.
“But I’ve heard all this talk before about power.”
Ngannou, in reply, grinned while revealing he also had some “wrestling tricks” for his rival.
“You’re like a Christmas cracker mate,” John Fury interrupted. “You get pulled and there is nothing inside of you.”
Cue looks of confusion right down the table.
“Christmas cracker,” John shouted, only to be greeted by more confusion, forcing the compare to eventually repeat John’s line.
“We’re 48 hours away,” Ngannou shrugged, still not quite sure what was being suggested. “You’re going to find out”.
“I’ve heard it all before,” Fury, the son, this time replied.
“Heard it 34 times, what they’re going to do, not going to do, and you’re no different …”
“And the neeeew,” Mike Tyson interjected again.
“Good God almighty,” John Fury said, going on, “don’t embarrass yourself Mike, honestly.
“You can’t beat my son.
“Just be a man and say ‘we’ve come here to try our hardest’.”
At which point a grinning Ngannou said: “I’ll take care of your son … and Mike Tyson will take care of you.”
“I’m here,” the old man exploded.
“Sign me up.
“My mother never bred a coward.
“I’ll fight now with any man in the world.”
Around which time Ngannou’s MMA coach Dewey Cooper also started up.
“Who are you?” John interjected. “Who is this man?”
“You know who the f… I am,” Cooper replied.
“Who is this character?” Fury continued. “Mr Nobody.
“Mr Nobody out of the cupboard.”
So Mike Tyson, he starts a Francis chant.
Which is when John, in reply, does the same for his son.
The start of what soon enough will see both Furys shirtless for that most chaotic of staredowns.
Although not before the press conference host, first, asks if anyone has last words?
“You’re going to know what it feels like to be knocked spark out,” Tyson Fury said, getting to his feet and facing his rival.
“I know you can’t punch.
“Zero power.”
“Then lift your chin,” Ngannou replied.
“I’ll leave the chin you ugly dosser,” Fury said.
“It will be there.
“You hit it you sausage.”
Then, pointing towards Ngannou’s torso which, to be fair, looked fairly bloody impressive, he continued: “Look at him, he’s a big fat sausage.
“Look how fat he is.
“He’s not even in shape. He’s a big fat sausage …”
To which a still smiling Ngannou replied: “You used to knock people out when you were fat”.
Which for the first time all night, caused the Furys to pause.
Then smile.
“He got you with that one,” Mike Tyson said.
HOW TO WATCH FURY VS NGANNOU
You can watch Tyson Fury’s fight against Francis Ngannou LIVE on Sunday, 29th of October (AEDT). You can order the fight NOW with Main Event on Kayo Sports!