Joshua takes his time over the finish, Johnson trying to indicate he isn't hurt. He ain't kidding nobody. A right clatters into the side of Johnson's head. Another right to the head and Johnson is down.

Kevin Johnson looks like he eats raw meat for breakfast. Just for fun. He stands in range, waiting for Joshua to unload. A massive overhand right hurts the backpedalling Johnson.

Image source, PA

As the ref metes out the instructions and the two come head to head, Anthony Joshua towers over Kevin Johnson. This 10-round fight is under way.

Fair point from Steve Bunce. I saw David Price walk through a lot of fighters early on, then he ran into Tony Thompson - a similar, durable and experienced fighter to Kevin Johnson. He's still recovering now.

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 live

"Frank Bruno looked in fantastic nick until he was smacked on the chops by 'Bonecrusher' Smith."

Richie Woodhall
Former super middleweight world champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"Joshua is a thorough professional - first in the gym and last out. He loves the game and he's always doing extra work. He looks in fantastic nick."

A couple of burly minders help Joshua to the ring. Is that necessary? He would be able to bat away us mere mortals with a little, dismissive swipe of his right hand.

Anthony Joshua stands proudly at the end of his mark. He's shadow boxing, ready to make his way to the ring. I wouldn't want to be Kevin Johnson right about now.

Rory Zachilroy: The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.

Jack Collins: Audioslave "Cochise"

Mark Dean: Can't Be Touched Roy Jones

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 live

"When this fight was first announced, I though it was a step too far for Joshua. The last time he knocked someone out was in Birmingham but the punch started in north London and took a detour via the M6 toll road. They saw it coming in Germany. What makes everyone think he's going to walk through Johnson?"

As Kevin Johnson is booed to the ring, Anthony Joshua leaves his dressing room looking every inch the wonderful specimen he clearly is. Muscles, good looks, hard as nails... he reminds me of my young self. Not.

There's been no such thrash talking from Anthony Joshua, whose pre-match talk has mirrored his boxing style - it's all been very clinical and succinct.

"Kevin Johnson is very experienced and very defensive," said Joshua, who won super-heavyweight gold at London 2012. "I want do a job on him for sure but I am not going to get carried away. I am going to break him down bit by bit."

Kevin Johnson is from the Geoffrey Boycott school of barbs. When he isn't calling Anthony Joshua "a big baby", he's claiming his grandmother could beat the opponents previously sent packing by the big-punching Brit.

"He did the same thing that my grandmother could do if you give her the same opponents," said Johnson.

It sounds like Johnson's gran is a tough cookie. Best to watch her down the bingo hall.

Kevin Johnson has been in the ring with some big boys - he was undefeated in his first six years as a pro until being easily outpointed by Vitali Klitschko.

Since then, he's been beaten by Joshua's fellow Brits Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora. He has, however, always gone the distance - so it'd be some achievement if Joshua did deliver an early night.

Image source, PA

Ever written a book? No, me neither. But Kevin Johnson has - and it's all about how he'll beat Anthony Joshua. It's even got a title - One Day Away.

The 35-year-old explained:, external "I did something to assure everyone that this isn't a hoax. I wrote a book. The book is going to tell you why I'm going to beat him.

"My book is out there, I can't take it back. You mean to tell me I'm going to let this clown mess up my book? I beg to differ. That's my guarantee. That's why I know for a fact I'm going to win."

If he's got a publisher, the next hour is going to be a nervy affair.

Former IBF light welterweight and WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi believes Anthony Joshua will maintain his unbeaten record against Kevin Johnson but doesn't expect the Olympic gold medallist to stop the big American.

"Once Johnson gets to the point where he knows he can't win, he'll just go into the sparring partner mode. He'll be defensive," Malignaggi told iFLTV., external

"It'll still be a very good experience for Anthony Joshua. It'll be very difficult (to get a knockout). Johnson knows his way around the ring."

Image source, Getty Images

Next up? Anthony Joshua against tricky American Kevin Johnson.

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 live

"The irony, which is horrible and wicked, is that had he shown half of those brains in his previous world title fights he would have been fighting for his third title tonight, not his first for the third time."

Image source, PA

Mike's right. Poor Kevin Mitchell is going to be hurting - mentally and physically - for days to come. He needs more than a plaster for that face. Ouch. But what a brave and exciting fighter.

Mike Costello
BBC Radio 5 live boxing commentator

"Mitchell's face in the morning will look like he's auditioning for a role in the Elephant Man."