Both men agile and bouncing around, trying to get centre ring. A left from Usyk to the Joshua body, Joshua trying to jab his way to find a gap in the defence.

Usyk then lands with a straight left.

No sign of early nervousness from Usyk, who instantly tries to throw out a left.

Ronald McIntosh
Boxing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

The way Michael Alexander chooses to officiate this contest tonight is going to be crucial. How physical will he allow it to be, how lenient will he be if Joshua waits for his intervention.

Here we go! Michael Alexander is our referee.

Froch borrows from Balboa, Joshua borrows from Froch.

Carl Froch
Former world super-middleweight champion on BBC Radio 5 live

I think Anthony Joshua is enjoying himself, he looks focused. He stole my ringwalk tune for the Lucian Bute fight, No Way Out, what a track!

Image source, Matchroom Boxing

"Boxing fans are you ready? For the thousands in attendance and the millions watching around the world ladies and gentlemen let's get ready to rumblllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeee!"

Before, I was getting a bit bored of the Michael Buffer routine, but after two miserable years, it is amazing to hear it again.

Always love a Rocky 4 soundtrack. No Easy Way Out comes over the stadium soundsystem with huge 'A' 'J' letters either side of Joshua and on fire.

It was the American Rocky Balboa versus the Russian Ivan Drago in Rocky 4. Balboa won that one.

Now it's Britain versus Ukraine. Who wins this one?

And here comes the champion. We hoped Tyson Fury would be in the other corner tonight and that may well happen in the future. Let's all hope so. It's what every British boxing fan craves.

But Joshua cannot dare look past Usyk tonight. This is Joshua's 11th successive world title fight and he will be desperate to avoid a shock defeat as what happened in his first meeting with Andy Ruiz at Madison Square Garden.

Image source, Getty Images

Usyk is in the ring. Now he has to wait for Anthony Joshua. He may want to get comfortable.

Image source, Matchroom Boxing

Joshua: "I work hard to make sure boxing is really respected and I pay them back by putting in a lot of work in the gym.

"I'm not an easy fight for anyone, I like fighting. God has blessed me, shown me the path to get into boxing. I'm here, blessed, happy and don't take it for granted.

"This is my passion. I appreciate you guys [the media and fans]."

Usyk, wearing a mask as if he's in Star Wars on his way to the ring, hopes his performance will be out of the world tonight.

He then ditches the mask and with all the fireworks going off behind him, strides to the ring, focused and intense.

WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie: "I'd like to believe AJ wins within eight to 10 [rounds]. Usyk has the skills to go fully defensive, but he will come to win the fight and will come unstuck."

And here comes Oleksandr Usyk. Boos when he is shown on the big screen. Can he silence the home support?

John Newman knows a fair bit about singing...

"Oh Anthony Joshua," sung to White Stripes' absolute anthem Seven Nation Army gets the latest of many airings.

And now a truly rousing rendition of God Save The Queen. Not long to go.

The Ukrainian national anthem is sung. As you'd expect Andriy Shevchenko, the former Chelsea striker and Ukraine manager, is loving it.

World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua talks to BBC Sport's Ade Adedoyin about how he deals with the pressures of being an elite-level athlete.