Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: Johnny Nelson says 'don't let smiles fool you - they'll be hating each other!'

The British heavyweight rivals traded a few taunts but also shared words of mutual respect at their long-awaited first press conference in London on Wednesday evening.

But Sky Sports expert Nelson believes their first media meeting was just a "soft launch" and expects real animosity to appear ahead of their blockbuster battle in Cardiff on December 11, penning his thoughts below...

"I think after all these years of all the back-and-forth and Tyson calling him every name under the sun and AJ being super cool and Eddie Hearn saying what he's saying, I thought when they sat in front of each other on Wednesday, if I'm honest - maybe I got taken away with all the hype - but I thought there was really going to be a real ruckus.

"But they were like a couple of businessmen that went there to say: 'Right, we're going to tick all the boxes.'

"I'm quite sure, as the weeks roll on, you can compare it to a 100-metre sprint.

"It's 10 weeks to go, so this first week, it's niceties. I think as we get to 20 metres down the line, it will get a bit tighter and tighter, and then by the time we're at 50 metres, these guys will be champing at the bit, hating on each other. That's probably what they have to do.

"I think the public might have been a little subdued Wednesday because of all the back-and-forth they've seen previously. So they thought: 'Let's see if this is for real.'

"The build-up to this fight as the weeks roll on, the words will get worse. Tyson's potty mouth will get in the way and things will be said, litigation and threats and everything.

"Even up until the first bell goes, it is going to be drama. This is what this fight's got written all over it.

"So that was a soft launch of what to expect.

"I think the smiling shocked everybody. Only because, as I said, of what we've seen in the build-up and everything.

"It's like a kettle boiling and thinking: 'Right, they're finally in the room together.' For the first time we've seen them head-to-head, these guys were just grown up.

"They were boys, now they're men. They've got children, they've got responsibilities. So now they probably conduct themselves a little better, but they'll turn back into boys again as it gets closer to the fight.

"I do expect Fury to come out and have a tear-up. The last person he said that about was Deontay Wilder, and he did.

"I know Tyson Fury thinks Anthony Joshua isn't good going backwards.

"I don't think Joshua wants this fight to go the distance where it depends on Fury's boxing skills, because boxing Fury is like trying to hit with a bag of rice, so I'd be very surprised if the fight went past five rounds.

"There'll be rocks, people will be hitting the canvas; it's going to be absolute drama.

'Both are past their prime - fight should have happened five years ago'

"I do think they're both past their prime.

"I've always been an AJ fan. I've always thought AJ would do him, but looking at the last fight of both fighters, the one that's got a little more left is Fury. AJ looked vulnerable.

"He looked susceptible. He looked like he could be hurt. And Tyson may not look as sharp and on point as he did 10 years ago, as he did when he boxed Wilder the first time.

"These guys are a lot older but it's whose style suits an older age. Fury's style suits the older age, whereas Joshua's style, if you don't hit him, he's going to hit you and take you out. So I have to say, it leans towards Fury at this stage in their careers.

"But they're getting paid handsomely. They're going to put their lives, their reputations, their bragging rights on the line.

"It's going to be so hard for these two to walk the streets and everybody and their dog will be talking about the fight, putting it on them, saying good luck.

"I can imagine at the Principality Stadium on fight night, the noise, two o'clock in the morning, it's going to be such an atmosphere. It's going to be a great story.

"I would say at least five years ago is when this fight should have happened.

"Five years ago, they were both mature, in their prime and good and ready to go.

"Now we've seen the decline of these fighters and it's not unfair to say that. We've seen better performances from both fighters.

"Five years ago, these two getting in the ring together, you would have had two young, hungry warriors that wanted more.

"Now I think it's more of a business transaction that will turn personal as it goes on. This is more business than pleasure.

"The fight will go on and it's a shame, but at least we're getting it. At least the fans are going to see it. At least the place is going to be packed out. Everybody will be watching this fight because there's been a 10-year build-up to it.

"In terms of who wins, I'm leaning more towards Fury.

"I'm going to get some calls from my friends. I know I'm an AJ fan but you've got to say what you see.

"And I think this time suits Fury all the way through."