Joshua vs Franklin LIVE: Result, reaction and latest updates after AJ claims victory
Anthony Joshua outpointed American Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena to bounce back after defeats to Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Joshua outpointed Jermaine Franklin in London tonight as the British heavyweight got back to winning ways.
Joshua, 33, pulled off a first win since 2020 after suffering back-to-back defeats by Oleksandr Usyk, reigniting his career after emerging with a unanimous decision at The O2 in London.
The former Olympic champion, who switched his trainer to American Derrick James for this fight, secure the morale-boosting performance behind a crisp jab and a series of brutal uppercuts. American Franklin proved his worth and added to his reputation after a controversial loss to Dillian Whyte, with his leaner physique ensuring Joshua was troubled by his movement and slippery combinations.
Tonight was the first step back towards a world-title fight for Joshua, with Dillian Whyte or Tyson Fury likely next for AJ. Follow all the reaction and analysis from a thrilling night of boxing below:
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Joshua vs Franklin LIVE
Now here comes the unbeaten Williams. The American, 26, will certainly be the favourite in this one.
Joshua vs Franklin LIVE
Austin “Ammo” Williams vs River Wilson-Bent will kick off the main card!
Wilson is out first for the middleweight bout, emerging to the sound of “Brianstorm” by Arctic Monkeys.
Joshua vs Franklin LIVE
Here’s an excerpt from our interview with Joshua, in which he discusses training with his new coach, Derrick James, in Texas:
“Sometimes I think, ‘Is Derrick not seeing that I’m dying here?’” Joshua laughs. “But I realised that I can’t feel sorry for myself, because I’m actually gonna get something out of this. That’s how much he pushed me. I had to think to myself: ‘What does this mean? Oh, s***, he’s actually trying to get me to a certain level, which requires going through certain torturous methods.’
“A typical day is: Up early, cardio, calisthenics, stretch, physio, breakfast, sleep, gym, calisthenics, core, eat, physio, stretch, balance work, film study, bed by 9.30pm. Up in the morning again. We get two days off, where I’ll do physio, I might speak to Derrick, speak to someone about boxing, get a massage. You have to sacrifice things, but giving up means gaining in the long run anyway.”
Full interview:
Anthony Joshua: ‘I can’t be a shoulder to cry on, but I can wire you some cash’
The British heavyweight on Jermaine Franklin, ‘that’ in-ring speech, and money vs emotion. By Alex Pattle
Joshua vs Franklin LIVE
Next up? The main card! From first fight to last, it looks like this:
Austin Williams vs River Wilson-Bent (middleweight)
Campbell Hatton vs Louis Fielding (super-lightweight)
Galal Yafai vs Moises Calleros (flyweight)
Fabio Wardley vs Michael Polite Coffie (heavyweight)
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin (heavyweight)
Joshua vs Franklin LIVE
Hedges gets a convincing decision win over Bocianski! 80-72.
Joshua vs Franklin LIVE
John Hedges and Daniel Bocianski are currently in action on the undercard, heading into the eighth round of a light-heavyweight clash.
Here’s all you need to know about timings for tonight’s main event:
What time is Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin tonight?
The Briton returns to the ring in London in early April
Joshua vs Franklin LIVE
Jermaine Franklin is among the softer souls to possess such heavy hands. In fact, his voice is gentle enough that it is almost drowned out by each creak of the door, and by the din that spills in from the corridor.
Franklin sits at one end of a long table, in the middle of a hotel function room in Brentford, surrounded by journalists. Each creak, each spillage draws aggravated glances from the group. Yet, every time, there is also an undercurrent of curiosity as to whether it may just be the hulking figure of Anthony Joshua that strolls in.
That figure would cast a shadow over most fighters, but – in any case – Franklin is content to sit in the dark for now. He was content to sit in the dark during the Covid pandemic, when he took employment at a roofing company to make ends meet, but on Saturday night, the American plans to step out into the light.
Interview with Jermaine Franklin:
Meet Jermaine Franklin, a soft soul with heavy hands meant for Anthony Joshua
Interview: The American looks ahead to the biggest fight of his career, against ‘AJ’ in London on Saturday
Joshua vs Franklin LIVE
“I don’t know where that... This is quite interesting actually,” Anthony Joshua chuckles.
It’s just been put to the heavyweight that he is a “hero”, that a generation of British fighters are “in awe” of him.
“Who’s in awe of me??” he asks, now leaning back and laughing at the ceiling.
“People.”
“People??” Joshua can’t quite comprehend the idea.
See, for years the former world champion has spoken of his desire to prove himself as the best heavyweight of his generation, but following a second straight defeat by Oleksandr Usyk, he seems to have altered the agenda.
Interview with Anthony Joshua:
Anthony Joshua: ‘I can’t be a shoulder to cry on, but I can wire you some cash’
The British heavyweight on Jermaine Franklin, ‘that’ in-ring speech, and money vs emotion. By Alex Pattle
Joshua vs Franklin LIVE
Ahead of tonight’s main event, I answered your questions about Joshua and Franklin:
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