Joshua faces Oleksandr Usyk in a bid to recapture the WBO, WBA (Super) and IBF heavyweight titles he lost to the Ukrainian in London last September.

He describes the rematch as the "biggest" of his 26-fight professional career, adding: "I've got to take this one the most serious."

Should Joshua win, he will rightly reap the benefits; silencing the doubters, proving his credentials as an elite heavyweight and setting up a potential all-British super fight with Tyson Fury.

While there is no shame in losing back-to-back bouts against someone of Usyk's calibre, a defeat will direct Joshua back to the drawing board. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has said 'AJ' will not retire but may never get another world-title shot.

From 6pm