“That’s none of your business and none of anybody else’s business I think, is it? My business is my business, your business is yours, and that’s it,” Fury said. “It’s got nothing to do with me in boxing. I’m just a stupid boxer who gets punched in the face for a living.”

The 33-year-old, who usually has no problem saying what he really thinks whenever a microphone is shoved under his nose, can’t be enjoying this uncomfortable extra layer of scrutiny. Or maybe it’s the fact that Fury says this will be his last ever fight that has slowed down his notorious motormouth and put him in such a different mood.

On Wednesday, most people were expecting a war of words at the very least between Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs) and a man he recently dubbed “Frillian White Knickers” for ducking all previous promotional commitments, and described as akin to a Vauxhall Corsa compared to himself, a Ferrari.

Instead – despite the fervent hopes of the rogues’ gallery of tattooed onlookers and bumbag-wearing associates that typically assembles for fight week events – it was a full-blown love-in.

Compliments, not insults, were traded. A few smiles, a nice solid handshake and even a little tummy tickle from Fury wringed any tension out of the traditional stare-down. When things did briefly threaten to boil over between Fury’s father John and Whyte’s brother Dean, the two fighters told everyone to back off and calm down.

Fury, who is putting his WBC and The Ring heavyweight straps on the line in front of an anticipated crowd of 94,000, is the unbackable favourite. This is widely being seen as his ‘homecoming’ fight as he has not boxed on British soil since 2018, when he launched his remarkable comeback from mental health, alcohol and drug issues that almost saw him take his own life.

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But his deference to Whyte – the Jamaican-born mandatory challenger with a 28-2-0 record who has waited a long time for this world title opportunity – was jarring and uncharacteristic.

“He looks ready. He’s in shape, I’m in shape,” Fury told BT Sport afterwards.

“It’s going to be a good fight. I know people want a big ruckus at press conferences. They want to see all the screaming and shouting and punching. But listen: let the two boxers do a fight and enjoy it. The man’s doing his job, getting paid to do it, and so am I.

“It was a good do. Happy days.”

Given the calibre of the two boxers involved, the magnitude of the occasion, the history of the venue, the belts on the line and the probable end of Fury’s breathtaking career, it really should sell itself.

Reigning WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, will defend his title against fellow countryman Dillian Whyte. Live and Exclusive on Stan Event on Sunday, April 24 from 3am AEST, with the title fight after 7am AEST. Stan subscribers can purchase the pay-per-view event for $60, new customers can sign up to a free trial and purchase the fight. We’ll also be live blogging all the action at smh.com.au/sport