Fury vs. Usyk 2: Tyson Fury pulled away from 11-minute-plus face-off with Oleksandr Usyk

Before the head-to-head pranks, a furious and intense Fury said now was no time for joking around and that he would “do some serious damage” to his opponent.

Saying that having a thick beard provides extra strength, Fury has been reluctant to engage with the media during fight week.

He said with some profanity, “I have nothing to say except that there will be a lot of hurt and pain in this fight, you stay tuned.”

“That’s all I have to say. It’s done. I talked about the first fight, I joked – throughout my career – this time I’m serious.”

Dressed in a white suit and black hat, Fury said wryly: “I’m going to cause a lot of pain.”

The former champion’s wife Paris Fury sat in the front row with their two sons.

Earlier this week, Fury revealed he had not spoken to his wife for three months while he focused on training in Malta.

As for Usyk, the Crimean-born champion – wearing a striking maroon dress with embroidery – was escorted to the top table by a Ukrainian singer and a choir of a dozen suited men.

Usyk said, “Now we just have a demonstration with lights and cameras. Everything will happen on Saturday.”

Usyk glared at Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn when he tipped his fellow Briton to victory, a prediction that prompted a rare smile from Fury.

Asked if he had any final message for Fury, Usyk said: “Don’t be afraid. I won’t leave you alone.”