Chris Eubank Jr smells blood and is looking to finish this in the second. A couple of wild swings don't find the mark. But DeGale, already cut and knocked down, has made a start he would have been dreading.

Mandatory eight, after a crushing left hook and then a flurry of punches. DeGale is not knocked down, but only because of the ropes keeping him up. We continue, but a huge moment already.

Zach Kingsbury: I hope DeGale wins. I have never liked Eubank Jr's attitude. Arrogant as ever but made to look bang average by Groves and BJS

A little bit of blood on the DeGale face at the end of that opening round. A cut over the right eye, nowhere near as bad as those suffered by Lee Selby earlier on, but one to monitor.

Some early single success for DeGale, a rather desperate lunging hook from Eubank was telegraphed, DeGale saw it coming and danced on to his heels to avoid it.

Former British light-middleweight champion Brian Rose...

Southpaw James DeGale is on the front foot immediately, trying to throw the right jab, occupying a position in the centre of the ring.

Michael Alexander is the third man in the ring and here we go...

"Settling the rivalry, it's a grudge match," MC Jimmy Lennon Jr helpfully tells us.

Boos around the arena for Eubank Jr. Don't think it is going to bother him though.

Here's how they compare...

Image source, .

There won't have been many times when James DeGale is by far the most popular man among the two fighters. Maybe his career has not got the credit it should've done, given the fact he is a two-time world champion.

Back to the top or into retirement? We'll find out in the next hour.

Martin Murray, who has fought for world titles at middleweight and super-middleweight, expects DeGale to get the job done.

First to the ring is Chris Eubank Jr. Losses to Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves have left him facing an uphill task to convince everyone he is as good as he says.

Still Dre, from Dr Dre, blares out around the O2 as Eubank heads to the ring. He vaults over the ropes, just like his dad used to in the 90s.

A word from the man who inflicted a first career defeat on Chris Eubank Jr in 2014...

Chris Eubank Jr just told ITV Box Office to expect a "fight of the year"

James DeGale meanwhile says having the crowd on his side for a "legacy fight" will give him an "extra 10%".

Wawnered: DeGale for late stoppage or unanimous points win. Even old and crocked he has won fights at a level to which Eubank has never been. If Young Chris wants to know what it's like to take a step too high tell him to ask his dad about the Collins fight.

Dean A Jevons: Degale has the proven track record and big fight experience. I think CEJ will fall short and it could be James could make it look fairly easy if he chooses too. Though he could let himself get dragged into dogfight later on in the fight.

In recent years, DeGale has had shoulder surgery and Achilles problems and changes have been necessary and have seen him switch long road runs for lengthy swims and place a new found trust in sports science professionals.

"I think this fight is one of the biggest as at this stage of my career I have to win," said former world super-middleweight champion DeGale.

"People are saying 'why do you mention retirement?' It's because I'm a realist, I have done everything and the bank balance isn't too bad as well. But if I lose to him I have to knock it on the head because I'd be on the decline."

Image source, .

To bolster his chances tonight, Chris Eubank Jr has recently hired trainer Nate Vasquez from Floyd Mayweather's Las Vegas gym, insisting the work he had done in the past under the guidance of his former world champion father Chris and Ronnie Davies had never been specific.

"Nate has provided focus and a tailored camp for what DeGale is as a fighter," Eubank Jr told BBC Sport. "Previously I have trained myself, blanketed my camps - get fit, strong, go in there and fight.

"For this camp we have studied, devised strategy and I will execute it in full force."

Bluerunner: This is not a fight that will cause any ripples in global boxing terms. However, like a playground fight between two kids you didn't like, it is interesting. DeGale is (marginally) less irritating and arrogant than CEJ so I'm (marginally) siding with him.

Happychap: If Eubank tries to box Degale he will lose on points he is a level below Degale in that respect he has to chase and pressure and take the fight to Degale take shots and get close unload to head and body with big punches if Degale moves and sticks to his game plan he wins on points but he can't be dragged into a slugfest with a bigger puncher Degale to win a close fight but it will be tough

World flyweight champion Charlie Edwards thinks Chris Eubank Jr could carry a late threat...