Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at O2 Arena, London

We saw the infamous outburst when Anthony Joshua lost to Usyk in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Having been defeated on points in August last year, Joshua threw the champions belts out of the ring and then delivered an emotional – some may say erratic – speech.

In the post-fight news conference, Joshua choked back the tears. Promoter Eddie Hearn says the years of pressure finally took its toll on Joshua.

But this week, Joshua has seemed relaxed, jovial and in good spirts. He was all smiles at Wednesday’s news conference and sharing a laugh with friends and fans at Friday’s weigh-in.

Heavyweight Frazer Clarke: "I've done many rounds with AJ. I've seen the vicious side of him. Let me tell people this, when Anthony Joshua unloads on you with combinations in them 10oz gloves, I don't care who you are, you're gone. Usyk never gave him the chance to do it, but I think Jermaine Franklin will give him plenty of opportunities. Therefore I can't see it going near the distance."

Super-featherweight Jordan Flynn, who fought on the undercard: "It's not going to be a pushover. Franklin is a good fighter, he's going to come to win. But Joshua will be too much for him and will win within six. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets him out even earlier. He's just too sharp, too big, too strong and too clever."

WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie: "I see it being an AJ win. I think it could be a mid-round stoppage just for accumulation of heavy shots."

Featherweight Karriss Artingstall: "I'm predicting an AJ win. Not sure how he will do it, but he will just get the job done."

'Sweet Caroline' time. It's not a night of boxing without it.

Not long now.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at O2 Arena, London

So I'm hearing Jermaine Franklin had to get the tube to the O2 this evening due to traffic. Hope he remembered to tap out.

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

AJ needs to know what he's doing. He's got to have done it in the gym, be thinking about it in the changing room and believe in himself on the ring-walk.

When that bell goes, he's got to be convincing behind the jab and come forward. He's got to use his size.

In his 27 fights, Joshua has won 24 of them with 22 coming inside the distance so is tonight going to be Joshua showing his destructive power once more?

"I know I've got the possibility of doing it," Joshua said of a knockout. "But there's a process to get there. I just follow the process.

"I've got my gameplan, got my mind right and I'm ready to go for war.

"Maybe fans do need to see the old Anthony Joshua. The type of style you take to the fight and the way you win is a massive part of moving to the next stage of your career.

"No-one wants a boring fight, everyone wants to see someone get smashed to pieces. The goal is not to make it back to the corner, the goal is to take him out."

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at O2 Arena, London

Anthony Joshua says “the dangling carrot” of a fight with Tyson Fury is keeping him motivated to win in style tonight. That is one big carrot.

Boxing fans will sigh at even the discussion of a Fury-Joshua fight. It’s something we’ve been clamouring for over the years, but a blockbuster bout – one which would capture the world’s attention - has never materialised.

Having said that, with Fury’s undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk falling through, now might just be the perfect time for Fury-Joshua to agree a deal and get British boxing fans back on side.

Ever the hopeful.

An Anthony Joshua win tonight will lead to the inevitable calls for a fight with fellow Briton Tyson Fury - the WBC title holder, who has been unable to come to an agreement with Oleksandr Usyk - the holder of all the other heavyweight titles.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Joshua spoke how he felt Fury "needs me to redeem himself from this circus".

Joshua and Fury were involved in lengthy negotiations in the autumn of 2022 but couldn't get it done, with Fury fighting and comfortably beating Derek Chisora instead at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December.

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

If AJ drops down, will he have the desire to build back up at this stage of his career?

I don't think so; this is a must-win fight.

Image source, Getty Images

Jermaine Franklin - who a year ago was working in a roofing factory - lost to Briton Whyte on a close points decision in November, his only career defeat in 22 fights.

Promoter Eddie Hearn says the criticism of Joshua's choice of opponent is "bizarre". He added: "On one hand AJ is supposedly finished, mentally shot but yet will knock Jermaine Franklin out inside three or four rounds.

"Some criticising the choice of opponents, the same people who feel Jermaine beat Dillian Whyte. If you're Anthony Joshua you can't really win.

"There's always an over-analysis with his weight, but clearly he's come in with bad intentions for this fight.

"In some fights, where you need speed and agility, he comes in lighter. But I think you're going to get an explosive knockout.

"I see one of the best heavyweights in the world who wants to regain his position and become a three-time heavyweight world champion."

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

AJ is fighting for the 'house title'. He calls the 02 his home.

There are no belts; this is genuine. He is fighting to stay in the heavyweight race; if he wins, he is the contender to Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

If he loses, he drops down the pecking order.

He had 12 consecutive world title fights. I'd put this as his fourth or fifth biggest fight.

Coach and former fighter Jamie Moore: "The first few rounds might be cagey. AJ will want to find his rhythm and settle down a bit. Let those nerves settle down. But once he finds his range, probably from round four, five or six, he'll land the big shots and get him out of there."

Former two-weight champion Carl Frampton: "I think AJ will stop him inside the first half of the fight. I'd love to see him stop him in the first quarter. Dominate him from the centre. Be a brute. If he has his confidence, he is a couple of levels above Franklin. He needs to go out and show that to the people.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at O2 Arena, London

Anthony Joshua says he wants to make a statement tonight. He weighed in yesterday at his career heaviest - a sign he may be looking to plant his feet and unload those shots.

But new trainer Derrick James says winning is all that matters, no matter how it happens.

AJ is on his third trainer in as many fights, having previously worked with Robert McCracken and then with Robert Garcia for the Usyk rematch.

James is a top quality coach who works with the likes of world champion Errol Spence Jr.

We all want to see a knockout tonight, but both AJ and James have talked about “the process” of getting to a knockout. It may not be early, Joshua may just look to find his rhythm and wear his opponent down.

Tony Bellew
WBC cruiserweight champion on DAZN

Nobody turns up to a big heavyweight match to see two guys go to points. You turn up to see guys knock each other.

Franklin has done that throughout his career but it is about his mindset tonight. If he wins, he's a global name.

Anthony Joshua has been criticised for being too gun-shy in his approach since losing to Ruiz, opting to outbox rather than bulldoze his opponents.

Trainer Jamie Moore feels Joshua should play to his strengths against 29-year-old Franklin.

"He [Joshua] was a tremendous amateur, and he's a good boxer, but his main asset was his raw strength and power," Moore says.

"If we're going to see the best of him against Franklin, he needs to find that killer instinct again. It's not easy, but I do think it's possible for him to get back to the top and turn back the clock. We just need to see a throwback AJ.

"Going back to the O2, his original hunting ground where he was so ruthless and had so many positive nights, might trigger him into finding that ruthless streak.

"Your brain works in mysterious ways and those neurological pathways and happy times might trigger what he needs to find himself again."

BBC Radio 5 Live

We are live on BBC Radio 5 Live right now so press play at the top of this page to listen to our team of Ronald McIntosh, Steve Bunce, Carl Froch and Jeanette Kwakye.

Tony Bellew, singer Liam Payne and documentary maker Louis Theroux are among the big names at the 02 tonight.

Image source, Matchroom

Image source, Matchroom

Also ringside is welterweight Conor Benn, who has been in the boxing headlines almost every day since failing two drug tests last year.

This week it was all about a potential rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. It's nowhere near a done deal, despite reports earlier this week.

Read more here.

Image source, Matchroom

Dillian Whyte
Heavyweight on DAZN

I want a chance to redeem myself. Joshua keeps playing the video of him knocking me out years and years ago. I want revenge, I want revenge.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at O2 Arena, London

A lot has been made of Anthony Joshua’s fall from grace. If you look at his record, he has suffered three losses in his last five fights. But you need to add context. He avenged his defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr and there is no shame in losing to pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk.

But critics say Joshua is gun shy and has lost that invincibility he once had. And that as technically great as Usyk is, he is a much smaller man than Joshua.

On paper, Joshua is levels above Jermaine Franklin. But is the Londoner's confidence shot to pieces?

Here's a clip from the presser where Joshua dismisses suggestions that this was a good time to be fighting him.

Franklin has said he plans on knocking out Joshua, who responded by saying: "This is the worst time. The more he talks the bigger grave he digs for himself."