By Shaun Brown

“What’s going to happen when I’m still there?” asked Dillian Whyte.

“I’ll hit you again,” smiled Anthony Joshua.

The two heavyweight rivals square off on Saturday night at London’s O2 Arena for the vacant British Heavyweight title (as well as the Commonwealth and WBC International) and the two age-old foes met today at Canary Wharf for the final press conference.

Joshua, casual and confident, is fully expecting the rematch from their amateur days (in which Whyte won) to be another comfortable step on the ladder to what he and his team believe will be heavyweight dominance.

“Dillian is a simple challenge for me,” said the 2012 Olympic Gold Medallist.

“It’s been a long time coming. I’ve patiently waited for this fight. He talks a good game – I hope he backs it up!” said the unbeaten Joshua.

The unbeaten Whyte, suited and booted, says Saturday is the start of his own journey to become world champion and was in more vocal mood for the media when he had his say on all matters concerning the big fight.

“I can’t wait to smash this guy to pieces! When you put it on a big guy they crumble under pressure. I’m going to destroy him.”

“If I’ve got to come and rip his head off his shoulders, I’ll do that,” he continued.

The Jamaican born Brixton heavyweight then accused Joshua of having no heart and not willing to get in the trenches.

Joshua words were few but chosen carefully and cleverly: “My heart don’t beat no fear for this kid.”

As with many a big fight the matter of who gets to walk to the ring first was still to be decided. The decision was to be made over a media friendly coin toss. Joshua cancelled the flip and gave his opponent the choice who has decided to walk second to the ring.

After a long stare down for the cameras more words were exchanged. Eventually the talking stopped as both men walked off to get prepared for Saturday night’s dust-up and what is likely to be a feisty weigh-in tomorrow afternoon.

Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0 or contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com