Richie Woodhall
Former world champion at Manchester Arena for BBC Radio 5 live

Tony Bellew is a much better boxer than people give him credit for. He has got a good punch and he is tough. I remember when he sparred with Carl Froch, and Carl said afterwards that Tony was much sharper than he originally gave him credit for, but he has got to be clever and very savvy tonight.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport at Manchester Arena

When Sweet Caroline ends and the roar goes up for what’s coming. It really is just something else.

Mike Costello
BBC Sport boxing correspondent

It is very difficult to get a jab going and get into a good rhythm against a southpaw. The reason the southpaws don't have the same problem is the numbers mean they are so used to meeting plenty of orthodox fighters compared to the other way around. It took 100 years until we saw a southpaw heavyweight world champion - Michael Moorer.

We know the old adage of a kid turning up at a gym and being asked what hand he writes with. Whatever the strong hand is tends to be a fighter's back hand as it's then more powerful, so a right handed kid would typically be orthodox in his stance.

I've read about the great Soviet coach Andrei Chervonenko who went to Cuba and revolutionised their boxing in the 60s. He was committed to turning fighters to southpaw regardless of their strongest hand as he felt southpaws would wreak havoc on the international scene.

It's the "biggest selling grime artist in the world", of course.

Bugzy Malone.

Never thought I'd hear Buffer say that.

Image source, Getty Images

Now then, nervous yet? Excited much?

Here's Michael Buffer. That can only mean one thing...

Image source, PA

Tony Bellew is confident he will "find a way" as he faces the "exceptional skills" of Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed world cruiserweight title.

Liverpudlian Bellew, 35, said: "I meet a man who has exceptional skills, an exceptional talent - but I can turn someone's lights out in the blink of an eye.

"It's never happened to him before but it could happen on Saturday. I am going to find a way."

Mike Costello
BBC Sport boxing correspondent at Manchester Arena

Sweet Caroline rings around the Manchester Arena and that is the sign that the two boxers are imminent.

Former world heavyweight champion David Haye:I consider Bellew a friend. Someone who fairly beat me. It'll be better for my ego to say I got beat by a guy who beat Usyk. He can do it. If he doesn't it's a points loss. Usyk on points, or Bellew by stoppage.

British heavyweight Dereck Chisora: It is just written in the stars. Tony wants this badly. He will be losing this fight but when he hits this guy he will stay hit. He will knock him out, 100%. Then Tony becomes the number one fighter in the United Kingdom.

Former British middleweight champion Matt Macklin: If Bellew wins this it is without doubt the best win of his career.

Former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi: People have counted Tony out before, made him the underdog. Appreciate Usyk but appreciate the desire and determination Bellew has shown us over the years. He always gives people their money's worth and comes to fight.

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live are on air now - so no excuses, get tuned in....

Richie Woodhall
Former world champion at Manchester Arena for BBC Radio 5 live

If Tony Bellew wins, I would compare it to Tyson Fury fighting Wladimir Klitschko. He is on home soil but this is a different problem tonight. David Haye had the power but Bellew was confident he wouldn't get hit. Oleksandr Usyk does not have the power but he has the technical ability and if Bellew is to win this it will have to be by knockout. He won't win on points.

It's a great atmosphere and I think the crowd are going to play their part. Tony has to get them cheering and that will happen if he lands an early shot.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport at Manchester Arena

The tune of choice from masses is a simple “Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony, Tony Bellew.”

It’s to the rythym of ‘No Limit’, which if I recall was a 90s dance hit.

Apologies if that decade doesn’t register as a musical glory day for you.

The Rocky soundtrack ‘Eye of the Tiger’ rings out now. What’s not to like?

“Rising up... back on the street....

Oleksandr Usyk's English isn't great, according to Tony Bellew, who I'm guessing doesn't speak great Ukrainian either - at least it meant there wasn't a bad word to be said at Friday's weigh-in.

"He doesn't speak good enough English that I can banter with him, get him going," Bellew added.

"I won't lie, I would if I could! I like a bit of back and forth but ultimately I admire him. I have no bad words for him - it is unusual for me to give a man so much credit."

Image source, Reuters

Unified world cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will get a "rude awakening" if he is already thinking of a fight with heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, says Tony Bellew.

Usyk, 31, is likely to move up to heavyweight after tonight's bout.

"He's another fighter who wants to get through me to the king - AJ. He is another who will fail," said Bellew.

"He is underestimating me and already asking promoters which heavyweight will he face after this. He is in for a rude awakening. When I hit him for the first time he will feel it."

Tony Bellew has just had a last-minute chat with Sky Sports and he's looking very, very serious.

Asked what it will take to win, he says: "The momentous effort of my whole life. The ultimate battle, one last war. And it's coming. I know it's coming.

"This is the ultimate test against the most formidable opponent of my whole career. I can't wait.

"There is no sentiment in this. My only thing is - I have to find a way to defeat the monster, Oleksandr Usyk."

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport at Manchester Arena

Image source, .

Don’t for a second think Oleksandr Usyk is all alone here. A huge number of seats ringside are taken by his entourage, loved ones and friends.

We’ve just had our first brawl among fans of the evening, the main event excitement and sound of The White Stripes is making some see red.

Chisora, Haye, Brook, Khan, Whyte, Froch, Hearns, Fielding, Malignaggi, just some of the names ringside.

Some 18 months ago the masses were here in hope Anthony Crolla could overcome the class of Jorge Linares. Everyone left having watched a masterclass from overseas. Same again? Or does the Bellew story end magically?

Image source, Getty Images

Social media footage of 31-year-old Usyk dancing demonstrates a sleight of foot not typically associated with men in the cruiserweight division.

His obscure movement and high-pace assaults helped him claim gold at the London 2012 Olympics, catapulting him into a professional career which saw him win the inaugural World Boxing Super Series - and all four titles - in his 15th and most recent bout.

His display in the Super Series final - beating Russia's Murat Gassiev in Moscow - was described as "regal" by 5 live's Steve Bunce. It also ensured the father of three became the first Ukraine fighter to become an undisputed champion in a division.

Bellew's trainer Dave Coldwell said: "If you just looked at the Gassiev win you'd think 'how on earth do you beat this guy?' But there are fights and moments where he doesn't have it all his own way. Do I think my fighter can take advantage? Yes I do."

Neil Yelland: Here we go then. Bellew v Usyk. And even better, #bbcboxing, external have got @bigdaddybunce, external, Costello and @richiewoodhall, external to describe it all - every fight I've listened to with them commentating has been a belter.

Zmjapah: Comparing the two fighters, unlike Usyk, Bellew has seen all there’s to see in this boxing game. He’ll surely find a way to neutralize Usyk’s threat and beat him to his game.

Image source, PA

Mike Costello
BBC Sport boxing correspondent

Bellew is a bookmakers' underdog just as he was against David Haye twice, Nathan Cleverly twice and Adonis Stevenson.

In Usyk, we are talking here about one of the best. He claimed the World Boxing Super Series but in the semi-final, he did see a few problems against Mairis Briedis, who varied the line of attack, going to the body and head in the same attack.

It did get through. And one judge gave it a draw while the others two went 7-5 Usyk, so there is a way to get to him.

Tony Bellew
Former WBC cruiserweight champion

Image source, TonyBellew

I've known Rachael since she was nine but was 18 when I met her - I was working on a nightclub door and saw her waiting to come in. I thought 'wow, she's changed'.

I tried to chat to her but got rejected. A week later I was out with friends, saw her, and tried again, only to get another 'no'. Weeks later I tried again, telling her I only wanted to take her to the pictures, and she said 'no' but went away and did some research on me.

She put up with all the nonsense of me telling her I'd be world champion. I was representing my country at the time, travelling and earning £350 a week.

The minute she got pregnant I identified I couldn't earn money doing door work, I had to do things a grown-up way. So I turned professional and lost money for two years because of injury. Putting it bluntly, I was broke.

After 16 professional fights, I was British champion, had just lost a world-title shot narrowly and was skint.

I don't know if it's luck, fortune or what, but it's worked out. All I have learned is to believe in yourself.

Rachael and the kids - Corey, Cobey and Carter - mean the world and more to me. They are the focus now as I contemplate calling time. It's satisfying to see how it worked out and soon I'll be able to be a totally normal dad.