The next Battle of the Britons will take place on Saturday night under the iconic Wembley Arch. Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua will return to the venue where he defeated the great Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 to claim his first world title, but the 34-year-old will need to beat one of the world’s best up-and-coming fighters, IBF champion Daniel Dubois, if he is to add another legendary feat to his CV.

Dubois, 27, was crowned IBF heavyweight world champion after Oleksandr Usyk was forced to vacate the title following an undisputed victory over Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. The fight has huge implications for both fighters.

Joshua is looking to return to the top of the heavyweight division after two consecutive losses to Usyk. AJ has aspirations of revenge on Usyk in a third fight, while a meeting with Gypsy King Fury could also be in the cards if he regains his world title.

As for Dubois, defeating one of the greatest British and boxing heavyweights of all time would be a huge honour for him as he looks to cement his position at the top of the division. Like AJ, Dubois was defeated by Usyk and would undoubtedly like another chance at the Ukrainian after seeing a last-minute knockdown ruled as a controversial low blow.

Wembley Stadium is expected to be packed, with 96,000 boxing fans expected to be on the edge of their seats when the first bell rings later in the evening. Joshua has more fight experience and more appearances at Wembley – but Dubois will see this as a great opportunity to silence his critics after a series of rather awkward encounters with his compatriot in the build-up.

Boxing figures from around the world have spoken out about who they think will get their hands on Saturday’s biggest fight of the night. Now, journalists will have their say.

Joshua Mbu: I predict a fourth-round knockout win for Anthony Joshua. Dubois, while undoubtedly talented, will lose in his first world title defense, but that won’t be the end for Frank Warren’s man, who is close to the top of the heavyweight division. AJ will be crowned a three-time world champion, and boxing will need to provide a series of powerful fights after his inauguration. Joshua will be closely watching the December rematch between Usyk and Fury, and should be the first name to face the winner of that fight, or at least at the end of the trilogy if it gets to that point.

Daniel Blackham: If Anthony Joshua is still the Anthony Joshua he used to be, he won’t have to come out of second gear to beat Daniel Dubois with ease. I’ve got nothing against the youngster, but I’m not sure what he’s done or who he’s beaten to suggest he should be considered the favourite. I’m not sure what the path to victory is for him. Joshua has shown in the past that he can get hit and hurt, but Oleksandr Usyk couldn’t stop him, Francis Ngannou couldn’t touch him, and apart from Dillian Whyte and Wladimir Klitschko about nine and seven years ago, he’s hardly ever been hurt.

Joshua is the better boxer and punches harder, so no difficult feelings for Dubois – who will likely become a future heavyweight champion of the world – but I see Saturday only going one way. Joshua will become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world, likely via overdue stoppage.

Cameron Winstanley: Anthony Joshua, Round 10. Joshua is back to his best form and more refined technique. His devastating KO of Francis Ngannou showed everything that is good about this AJ model. Dubois is threatening, but I think Joshua has too much and will stop the fight at the distance. Joshua should line up for the biggest fight in British boxing history next year against Tyson Fury if the “Gypsy King” gets revenge on Oleksandr Usyk in December.

Opulent Jones: Joshua in Round 7. This is a really tough fight to pick. Joshua has looked impressive recently, but his opponents have been questionable. Dubois has been steadily improving, and his win over Filip Hrgovic was impressive, but he still lacks a real win.

I expect a steady start, but if Dubois catches Joshua, AJ may have no choice but to get into a real fight. When it comes down to it, I think Joshua may be polished and experienced enough to weather the storm and come out on top. Either way, I don’t see this going the distance. Both are powerful boxers who are susceptible to being hit by huge shots. The huge question is who will land the deciding blow?

Joseph McBride: Joshua will win by KO/TKO, round 7. Anthony Joshua has been waiting for this chance after two straight losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Daniel Dubois is incredibly talented and won’t stand in AJ’s way.

It’s also an emotional return to Wembley, where AJ proved himself to be the top contender before beating Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin later in his career. AJ’s last fight at Wembley ended in a seventh-round TKO victory over Povetkin, and I believe history will repeat itself. The first three rounds will be cautious, but once AJ lands his first huge punch, his confidence will soar.

Tom Blow: Anthony Joshua, not Tyson Fury, was supposed to be Britain’s great hope in heavyweight boxing. Olympic glory on home soil, 22 consecutive professional wins and a brutal knockout of Wladimir Klitschko had made him a superstar. For a time, it seemed AJ would remain undefeated and destroy everything in his path. But that was never to be.

Think of all the great heavyweights—Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson—all lost huge fights. Joshua was always going to stumble at some point, and that moment is gone. Four more wins, including a disparaging win over Francis Ngannou, have put AJ back on track. Daniel Dubois is a great fighter and a worthy champion, but now it seems Joshua is storming back to the top of boxing.

It’s far from certain, but the 34-year-old should beat Dubois in the final stages of the fight. It would also be a fitting victory, as the IBF belt was Joshua’s first, won in 2016 after an basic win over Charles Martin.

He beats Dubois and has a chance to unify the division against either Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury. It will also be a chance for AJ to either avenge his two losses to Usyk or finally settle the debate about the best British fighter. Joshua’s fighting legacy is still in his hands. It’s time for him to realize that.