Summary:
- Anthony Joshua defeated Jermaine Franklin in a unanimous decision, bouncing back from consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
- Joshua showcased a dominant performance using a solid jab and powerful straight rights, while Franklin displayed quick hands but struggled to counteract his opponent’s size advantage.
- Post-fight, Joshua hinted at a potential match-up with undefeated WBC titleholder Tyson Fury, leaving the identity of his next opponent uncertain.
Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua made a triumphant return with a strategic and dominant unanimous decision victory against Jermaine Franklin in a 12-round main event at a Matchroom Boxing event in London on Saturday.
Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs), the Ring’s No. 3-rated heavyweight, bounced back from consecutive decision losses to current Ring champion Oleksandr Usyk, winning with scores of 118-111 and 117-111 (twice) in front of a delighted crowd of 19,000 at the O2 Arena.
Despite his determination, Franklin (21-2, 14 KOs) struggled to counteract Joshua’s size advantage, with the 6-foot-6 British fighter towering four inches taller and weighing 20 pounds more.
Joshua employed a solid jab and powerful straight rights, resorting to clinching and leaning on his American opponent when the action got too close for his liking. Although Franklin showcased a strong chin, he lost the majority of the highly competitive rounds.
The Michigan native displayed quick hands and landed some overhand rights, body shots, and uppercuts, but failed to replicate the impressive combinations seen in his majority decision loss to Dillian Whyte last November.
Joshua, with new trainer Derrick James in his corner, acknowledged Franklin’s skills but remained self-critical during his post-fight interview on DAZN, which streamed the fight live. “Jermaine’s got a good duck-and-dive style,” he said.
“There were opportunities to knock him out, and I should have knocked him out, but when people come to fight me, they rustle up a different kind of energy, they ain’t here to roll over. I wish I could have knocked him out.” James, The Ring’s 2017 Trainer of the Year, expressed satisfaction with Joshua’s performance, suggesting that further training in Houston would lead to more offensive layers beyond the jab-and-hold style showcased on April 1.
Joshua hinted at another fight before the end of summer, leaving the identity of his next opponent a mystery. When asked about the fans’ preference, the crowd shouted “Fury.”
Joshua referred to Tyson Fury, the undefeated WBC titleholder and fellow UK star, saying, “The ball’s in his court. Wherever you are, I hope you’re listening. We’re not getting any younger.”
Featured Image; Anthony Joshua Takes It To Jermaine Franklin En Route To A 12-round Ud In London On April 1. Photo / @matchroomboxing