Boxing: World heavyweight champ Tyson Fury steals show in Joseph Parker v Faiga Opelu build-up

Ever-colourful world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has stolen the show at a Melbourne mdeia conference before Wednesday night's clash between Kiwi Joseph Parker and Faiga Opelu.

The 'Gypsy King' has arrived from the United Kingdom to support his good friend Parker and quickly livened things up, when asked his prediction for the fight.

"I'm expecting fireworks," he said. "Someone's getting knocked the f*** out and I'm going to be ringside to watch it.

"Get up!"

Fury has warned Opelu that Parker is in rare physical shape.

"He's very dedicated," he said. "He has a different strength and conditioning trainer in George Lockhart, who's also his nutritionist.

"I've never seen him in this shape before. He's ripped."

Parker, the former WBO world champion, will make his Australian debut, hoping to stay active, while he awaits another shot at a belt.

He and Opelu were meant to fight for the Commonwealth title, a prestigious belt that even Fury has won, but Opelu's camp reportedly refused to fight 12 rounds - two more than the scheduled 10 - without renegotiating the contract.

"I'll fight 15 rounds, I don't care how many rounds there are," said Parker. "It's quite disappointing."

The card also features double Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic medallist David Nyika, who faces Aussie cruiserweight Louis Marsters for the second time in his short pro career.

Join Newshub on Wednesday for live updates of Parker v Opelu at Melbourne