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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Anthony Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin in must-win fight
Last chance to learn a little bit more about Franklin before the fight starts:
“I need people to understand this: My whole career, I’ve always been put on the backburner. I’ve always been the underdog, I’ve always been looked as the guy who’s gonna lose once he gets to the top level. I’ve been fighting the odds my whole career. It doesn’t offend me, it just makes me want to prove people wrong.”
Interview here:
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
Anthony Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin in must-win fight
The ring walks are under way!
Jermaine Franklin is out first, to the sound of boos in the O2 Arena!
Anthony Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin in must-win fight
“Sweet Caroline” concludes, and now fans are singing, “Oh, Anthony Joshua” to the tune of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”.
Anthony Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin in must-win fight
Ring announcer David Diamante and the ring girls are leading the fans in singing now.
Anthony Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin in must-win fight
“Sweet Caroline” has begun to play... You know what that means?
The ring walks should be coming up in just a few minutes...
Anthony Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin in must-win fight
At this point, we’re simply waiting for the ring walks to begin. It shouldn’t be too long of a wait now.
Anthony Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin in must-win fight
On the big screens at the O2 Arena, Joshua’s career highlights are being shown.
A lot of big knockouts from the Briton’s rise to the top. Every fan here wants – and many expect – another one of those tonight.
Anthony Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin in must-win fight
Next up, the main event: Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin.
Joshua is looking to get back to winning ways in London tonight. The Briton, 33, last achieved a win in 2020 and has since suffered back-to-back defeats by Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian took the unified heavyweight titles from “AJ” with a decision win in 2021 before retaining the belts with another points victory over Joshua last August, leaving the former Olympic champion to switch up his trainer in pursuit of a morale-boosting performance. As such, Derrick James will be in Joshua’s corner tonight.
Meanwhile, American Franklin enters the O2 Arena on the back of a controversial loss to Dillian Whyte – the first defeat of the 29-year-old’s career. Franklin suffered a majority-decision loss to Whyte in the English capital in November, when the winner was set to be rewarded with a fight against Joshua. Despite his defeat, and with many believing he had done enough to win, Franklin was paired with AJ anyway.
Can the American secure the biggest victory of his career? Or will Joshua take the first step back towards a world-title fight?
We’ll find out very shortly... Don’t go anywhere!
Fabio Wardley stops Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Whyte: “Clarke, he has the amateur pedigree. We want to build Fabio up. Frazer has the amateur experience, Fabio has the professional experience.
“Coffie showed him different things. He’s a way heavier puncher than Clarke.”
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