British heavyweight Derek Chisora stole the show after he arrived at York Hall in a tank with Nigel Farage - but Deontay Wilder promised to bring a "detonation" on Saturday night.
The two veterans of the sport will each contest their 50th fight at O2 Arena on Saturday and it will bring the curtain down on Chisora's (36-13, 23KOs) eventful 19-year professional career.
Pleasantries between the two friends from across the Atlantic were exchanged throughout February's announcement press conference, but there was more of an edge to this media activity and Chisora left onlookers stunned with his arrival down Old Forge Road in a giant army tank.
Zimbabwe-born Chisora was joined in the tank by Reform UK leader Farage, who waved a Union Jack flag but side-stepped the press conference at York Hall where Wilder delivered the first blows of the night.
After Wilder (44-4-1 43KOs), was ironically delayed by traffic in England's busy capital, he warned: "I know in London they love warriors, but what happens when a warrior come against a freak of nature?
"Derek brings passion but I bring a power that ends bloodlines. Derek is coming to fight, but I am coming with a detonation. And it is going to end with an explosion.
"I don't want you guys to be mistaken with us and with the friendship that has been going on. It is going to be live, it is going to be real and I can't wait for it. And I'm going to tell Derek, I hope he brings his heart because I'm gonna take that too."
Chisora, in a black suit with a black cowboy hat and his trademark Union Jack balaclava, was in a playful mood and dropped multiple expletives before he declared "f*** it, let's go" was the new game plan for Saturday at his spiritual home of O2.
This will be Chisora's 11th fight at the venue on the Greenwich Peninsula and after winning four of his last five bouts, the 41-year-old promised to try and go out on a high.
"I know what energy I need, I need that crazy energy," Chisora said. "I just need war and pain. That is what I am bringing and I will hit this man everywhere.
"Listen, O2 is going to be buzzing, my kids are coming, the only hardest thing about O2 for me will be that ring walk but after the first bell goes, everything will be easy for me.
"We might not even see round two. The way I am feeling right now, I am so fit and I am so ready for this fight it might not see round two. Maybe I might even, so f*** it, let's go."
Wilder promised he only needed two seconds to bring the goodnight to Chisora's reign in the division.
"I look unstoppable," Wilder said. "I am just looking to transfer what I've done in sparring and training to the actual fight where it really counts. And what better opponent to have than Derek War Chisora and what better place to be than London at the O2 Arena?
"I am ready to write my story in the history books. Derek has to be perfect for 12 rounds. I only have to be perfect for two seconds. Bam bay, goodnight."
