The two titans will go toe-to-toe on Saturday night in what will be at least one of their final fights.

Putting aside any doubts about whether these ageing boxers are still capable of doing so, a raucous crowd, mostly Londoners, will flock to the O2, eager to see a demolition derby.

Derek Chisora, 40, has said he will hang up his gloves regardless of the result. Joe Joyce, 38, could follow him into retirement if he loses.

One or both of them will go out with a bang. That’s how they fight. Juggernaut Joe is an Olympic silver medallist. War Chisora ​​has been dismal in his two world heavyweight title fights.

No, they’re not the best boxers on the planet. But they can certainly hit and be hit. When they fall, they fall.

Chisora ​​has suffered more than his fair share of concussions and organ-rupturing blows. This will be his 48th professional fight to Joyce’s 18.

The War-monger has also suffered 13 defeats. Joyce has only lost twice but has been pummeled by Zilie Zhang, the Chinese giant panda, in his last two bouts and has not been quite as good as he was in his only fight since.

Furthermore, the Juggernaut, by his own admission, is so clumsy in the noble art of self-defence that he is often beaten even when he is winning.

Yet while their fighting ability may be waning, they will fight with great spirit even if this proves to be what Chisora ​​calls a ‘farewell dance’.

That is reason to love them but also to fear for them. Joyce has waited too long to turn pro while chasing his Olympic dream. Chisora ​​would be wise to stop after his friend Tyson Fury gave him one last chance, forloning him for world title glory 18 months ago in what should have been a perfect £1m cash prize.

The crowd noise, the spotlight, the drama and thrill of it all have long been too much for boxers to resist – for too long.

None of us on the safe side of the ropes have the right to tell these fighters when to walk away. But we can breathe a sigh of relief when they do.

Chisora ​​insists he will avoid the 14th and final defeat on his record by knocking out in the fifth round. Joyce is the favourite, partly because he is younger and less worn out.

Whatever the case, hopefully it ends quickly and gets a warm welcome for the two brave men delivering one of their thrilling films.