By Jake Donovan

"BARS!"

Who knows which version of Kevin 'Kingpin' Johnson will show up tonight as he faces unbeaten heavyweight Anthony Joshua. The two collide at O2 Arena in London, as part of a loaded fight card topped by unbeaten welterweight Kell Brook in a title defense versus countryman Frankie Gavin. 

Joshua (12-0, 12KOs) has been a knockout every time out ever since turning pro in Oct. '13. The 25-year old is considered one of the more promising prospects in the heavyweight division, enjoying a celebrated arrival into the pro ranks following his Gold medal run for Great Britain at home during the 2012 London Olympics. 

What hasn't yet surfaced is a sufficient test. Joshua has yet to be extended beyond the 3rd round of any given prize fight. 

It was with that in mind that his team secured the services of Johnson for a bout intended to take place earlier this year. An injury kept Joshua on the shelf for a couple of months before returning with stay-busy knockout wins over Jason Gavern and Raphael Zambuno. 

Johnson (29-6-1, 14KOs) had plenty to say about the fight being delayed, much as he has a lot to say about anything in general. 

Putting something behind those words remains his struggle. The first signs of his bully-like mentality were exposed in a lopsided loss to then-heavyweight titlist Vitali Klitschko in Dec. '09. Johnson was unbeaten at the time, but content to go the 12-round distance while hardly throwing any punches at all over the course of the night.

Similar patterns have followed in nearly all of his losses. Losses to Tor Hamer (!), Christian Hammer (!!), Tyson Fury, Dereck Chisora and Manuel Charr can all be attributed to a general lack of effort in the ring, though without speculating how well—or poorly—he would have fared had he actually given himself a chance in the ring. 

He remains in high spirits for this weekend's clash, as evidenced by his bizarre interview with IFL TV's Kugan Cassius earlier this week. 

Can he talk himself into victory against one of the hottest prospects in the world? Or will Joshua resume his winning ways, and perhaps even become the first to stop the brash American, thus maintaining his perfect knockout-to-win mark in the process?

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the heavyweight action plays out.  

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: ANTHONY JOSHUA vs. KEVIN JOHNSON

Ryan Burton (Joshua TKO10): The blue chip prospect dominates and becomes the first to stop Johnson. 

Jake Donovan (Joshua UD): I'm tempted to pick Johnson solely on the basis of his epicly bizarre interview with my man Kugan Cassius. Alas, he's talked a good game far too often before, only to never deliver. Still, I expect him to expose some flaws in Joshua's game, as the Brit is forced to go the distance for the first time in a bout that grows uglier the deeper it goes. 

Takahiro Onaga (Joshua TKO4): Johnson has become a big name journeyman; here he will get stopped for first time

Cliff Rold (Joshua KO): Joshua needs rounds and might get a few here but Johnson won't be able to take his heat for long. Joshua hands him his first stoppage loss.

Victor Salazar (Joshua mid-rds KO): It will be a nice step up for the very promising Anthony Joshua, one where he will pass with flying colors and knockout Kevin Johnson in the mid rounds.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Joshua mid-rds TKO): For many, Joshua is the future of the heavyweights. His impressive string of knockouts speaks for him. Johnson more experienced versus better opposition, seems to have the tools to try to stop it. However, we are inclined to believe that the Joshua power will prevail. Joshua by KO in the middle of the fight.

Alexey Sukachev (Joshua TKO 9): Johnson has been playing with fire recently. But his opponents - Charr, Hammer, Chisora - didn't have a punch to finally put the Kingpin down. Joshua has it. It can be a no so popular pick, but... Joshua be the 1st to take Johnson out.

Totals:
Joshua–7
Johnson–0

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox