Povetkin springs back on to his heels as he tries to evade a Joshua shot. But some good work seconds later from the Brit on the counter.

Mike Walters: Has AJ just got out of bed? Looking relaxed #bbcboxing, external

A huge cheer from the Wembley crowd, the fighters sportingly touch gloves before we go. Anthony Joshua towers over his opponent trying to throw out the jab early on.

Steve Gray is our referee. Time to get going...

More from Buffer: "The reigning defending, undefeated heavyweight champion of the world AJ, Anthony Joshua."

Will Joshua still have his belts at the end of the evening? Can Povetkin shock us all?

Image source, Reuters

That time has come. Michael Buffer's moment. Apologies if I've spelt it wrong.

Sulaimon Adelekan: Let's get this party started. Anthony Joshua all the way. Grand entrance with Nas. #bbcboxing, external

Image source, Getty Images

Here is how they compare.

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Joshua - earning around £20m for this bout - could earn future reward. He already has Wembley booked again for 13 April, with a lucrative match-up with Wilder a possibility, while the likes of Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte remain in the frame.

"Everything is riding on it," said promoter Eddie Hearn. "I'm more fearful in this than in the last Joseph Parker fight because of Povetkin's experience. Joshua's going to have to nail him down, beat him up and knock him out."

Finally he is in the middle. A slow five-minute amble, followed by a spell on a raised podium, for no real reason, and now we are good to go.

And here comes the champion. Waving to his fans as he strolls to the ring, looking like someone on a Sunday afternoon stroll around the park.

"Oh Anthony Joshua" to Seven Nation Army by White Stripes becomes the chant to accompany entrance song number three. Huge 'A' 'J' letters are on fire with Joshua now on a raised podium, nowhere near the ring. They are doing a good job in stretching this out.

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A huge cheer as Wembley gets a sighting of AJ on the huge screens around the stadium.

Now it is AJ's turn. "We Will Rock You" rings out around the arena. The strobe lights flash around a darkened stadium. Getting lively.

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A lot of people think he shouldn't be here, but the extremely experienced Alexander Povetkin is making his way to the ring as we speak. What a chance it is for the Russian to throw open the heavyweight picture by swiping four world titles in one go.

Mike Costello
BBC Sport boxing correspondent

It is interesting, looking at Povetkin across fights, he has this habit of slipping punches in the same way, dipping his knees and then almost winging a shot over the top with the right hand.

When he fought David Price, Price clipped him on the way in. Price got there first. It is a gamble to throw that hook when the gap is there left by his winging right hand. You have to get there first and hard or the momentum of his punch will come through. Surely Joshua will see that gap.

"Let's get this party started," says Michael Buffer before a countdown over the main screens.

"Welcome to the lion's den," says Anthony Joshua on a pre-recorded message. Suddenly the atmosphere, which appeared extremely subdued during an underwhelming undercard is cranking up into proper massive night of boxing levels. It's been a while coming.

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Luke Reddy
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

Buffer in the ring. This is the big time.

Kids working out in gyms, lads and lasses on small hall shows. Some start in leisure centres. This is where they want to be.

Steve Bunce
BBC Radio 5 live boxing pundit

I think there's pressure on Joshua, a weight on his shoulders. There is no way it doesn't affect him when he is having the boot stuck into him.

When I watched him training last week he was working on fast, straight shots and also on nasty, little, clubbing hooks. Those are the shots that can catch Povetkin on the temple and put him down as he has a great chin.