4 Key Talking Points Ahead of Anthony Joshua vs. Dillian Whyte Card at the O2

Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte meet for the vacant British heavyweight title on Saturday—but their fight at the O2 Arena in London is about more than just a belt.

The two rivals get to settle an old score when they headline a condensed card in the English capital, as they previously fought each other in the amateurs.

Whyte won back then but is still the outsider going into the rematch. Per Odds Shark, he is a 15/2 shot for victory.

That's because Joshua has breezed through all challengers so far, winning his 14 fights by knockout.

However, the Olympic gold medal winner not only has to deal with Whyte but also the weight of expectation. He gets to top a pay-per-view card for the first time, ahead of some big names in British boxing.

Here Bleacher Report takes a look at some of the major talking points in the buildup to the event.

Dillian Whyte Gets His Chance to Shine

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Dillian Whyte has lived up to his nickname of "The Villain" perfectly in the buildup. It only seems right, too, as it is currently pantomime season.

The unbeaten heavyweight (16-0, 13 KOs) goes into the fight with the chance to make a name for himself in a division that has suddenly become interesting again.

He has no victims on his record of any real note, though his career was held up by a two-year ban for using a supplement that contained a controlled substance.

But the fact he defeated Anthony Joshua in the amateurs adds a little intrigue, even if it will count for nothing when the bell rings at the O2 Arena.

What matters more is that Joshua is facing an opponent who seems to actually believe he has a chance. Now there’s a first.

Whyte will be willing to stand and confront Britain’s big heavyweight hope, as he told Ben Dirs of BBC Sport: "Pumping up your muscles and getting bigger and stronger is one thing, a boxer's mentality is another. He's used to being the bully and being on top. But what happens when he tries to impose himself and he keeps being denied? We'll find out soon."

The 27-year-old poses some interesting questions—he will also help provide the answers.

Even in defeat, Whyte could make enough ripples in a shallow heavyweight pool to open doors to further opportunities in the future.

Chris Eubank Jr. Needs to Make a Statement

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Chris Eubank Jr. (20-1, 15 KOs) is used to living in the shadow of his famous father.

However, Chris Eubank Sr.—or "English," as he now wants to be known—has been hogging the spotlight recently during his stint on ITV's reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

Now it is time for the son to take centre stage.

Eubank Jr. gets the chance to make a statement against Gary "Spike" O'Sullivan, a middleweight with a 22-1 (15 KOs record) who is determined to burst the hype surrounding his opponent.

O'Sullivan has stirred the pot in the buildup.

He declared at a press conference, per Sky Sports: "The fact is, his dad chose to go to the jungle and eat animal genitals over being here with his son."

The absence of Eubank Sr.—sorry, English—shouldn't have really bothered Eubank Jr. If anything, it has given his new trainer, Adam Booth, a little more breathing room in which to work.

The younger Eubank is an undoubted talent and an absolute gym rat. His debut for Matchroom was a virtual walkover against Tony Jeter, but O'Sullivan is a serious test of his credentials.

Both middleweights have only been beaten by Billy Joe Saunders on points. Both have also displayed the useful habit of dealing with overmatched opponents.

Now, though, one of them gets the chance to take a giant step towards a world title fight.

If the fuss around Eubank Jr. is to be believed, this is a fight he has to win—and in some style.

The Make-or-Break Fights

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Tony Bellew and Kevin Mitchell have both had setbacks in their quests to win world titles.

Bellew—who is now 33—had two failed attempts at light heavyweight. His response to defeat against Adonis Stevenson in 2013 was to move up to cruiserweight, alleviating his issues on the scales.

The Liverpudlian's boxing career was briefly held up by a spell in Hollywood making a movie, but now the focus is on making it third time lucky at the highest level.

The next step on the road to another world title challenge is a bout against Mateusz Masternak, a Pole with potential to cause an upset, on December 12.

Bellew is taking his opponent seriously, telling Micheal McKenna of the Liverpool Echo: "Masternak has a daunting reputation for a reason and it’s because he knows how to have a fight. Barring Adonis Stevenson away in Canada, this is probably my toughest assignment to date but it’s going to be the fight where I leave a lasting impression and go home with the European title."

The vacant European belt is up for grabs, but that's not the belt the "Bomber" has his sights set on.

Mitchell, meanwhile, has fallen short twice himself in the quest to achieve his career goal. You could actually make it three times, if you also count his loss to WBO interim champion Michael Katsidis in 2010.

The Londoner was not prepared for Katsidis, while he was dismantled in a hurry by Ricky Burns two years later when his opponent held the full WBO belt.

His last unsuccessful challenge, however, was easily the toughest defeat of the lot. Mitchell turned in an excellent performance against Jorge Linares yet couldn't quite dethrone the WBC champion.

The huge welt over Mitchell's left eye has now disappeared, and the cuts he suffered on that night have healed. Crucially, his desire to be a world champion still remains.

A victory over Ismael Barroso will make him the interim WBA champion. Fellow Englishman Anthony Crolla holds the full title, and a showdown between the compatriots would be easy to make in 2016 (both are promoted by Eddie Hearn).

The key for Bellew and Mitchell now is to keep on winning. A defeat for either in London could leave their careers at a dead end.

To Pay to View? That Is the Question

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In just his 15th professional fight, Anthony Joshua is headlining a pay-per-view card.

For some, that is a tough pill (perhaps that should be bill) to swallow. Documentary producer/director Adam Darke tweeted: "It's been said before but Anthony Joshua v Dillian White on PPV on a subscription channel is just outrageous."

He is not the only one who has doubted the idea of paying £16.95 for the privilege of seeing a heavyweight prospect who has yet to go beyond three rounds.

Promoters Matchroom Boxing can point to a bumper card to back up the main event.

As well as Joshua and the fighters already mentioned in this article, fellow Olympian Luke Campbell is on the bill, along with the well-supported Josh Warrington.

Paulie Malignaggi was also a late addition, though the plan for him to face European welterweight champion Gianluca Branco has now been shelved, per Patrick L. Stumberg of Bad Left Hook.

However, Joshua is the big draw, as Danny Flexen pointed out in Boxing News: "Most notably, and arguably the catalyst for Joshua’s elevation to ppv main-eventer status, was the startling 336,000 who tuned in to watch him destroy Gary Cornish, despite his opponent being considered by most observers as a huge underdog, and the lack of big names on the undercard."

Flexen reveals that the Joshua-Cornish bout registered the biggest audience for a boxing show on Sky Sports this year (outside of PPV events).

In May, Matchroom and Sky extended their partnership until 2021, guaranteeing 20 live shows a year. 

With Joshua also extending his promotional deal, don't expect this to be the last PPV card he headlines in the future, provided he keeps on winning.