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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Dillian Whyte in audience for Joshua vs Franklin
Whyte, who is in the arena and won a close decision against Franklin last time out:
“Franklin is at that stage of his career that he’s not sure, he has doubts. In our fight, he started early, then I broke him down.
“People said it was close, but I won by a few rounds. I was with a new coach, six weeks wasn’t a lot of time to make adjustments.
“Franklin can cause some problems, but it depends where his mind is at and stuff going on in his personal life...”
Dillian Whyte in audience for Joshua vs Franklin
Franklin’s last opponent; Joshua’s next opponent?
Fabio Wardley faces Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Next up, rising British heavyweight Fabio Wardley will face Michael Polite Coffie.
Galal Yafai stops Moises Calleros on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Galal Yafai def. Moises Calleros via fourth-round TKO (0:44).
It seemed very likely that the stoppage would come in that round, after the damage that Yafai dealt in Round 3.
And indeed, the Team GB Olympic gold medalist secured the win in Round 4, staying unbeaten as a pro. He moves to 4-0 (3 KOs).
Galal Yafai stops Moises Calleros on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Calleros ate a brutal right hook as he was already on his way down. Ouch.
He complained about the stoppage somewhat, but it was the right call from the referee; Calleros was only going to take more damage if the fight had continued.
Galal Yafai stops Moises Calleros on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Round 4
Good footwork and head movement from Yafai to evade Calleros’ offence.
And now Yafai gets on the front foot, unleashing a flurry of head shots on the Mexican!
Eventually, inevitably, Calleros hits the deck! He drops to a knee.
He beats the referee’s count, but the official has seen enough anyway! Yafai is awarded a TKO win!
Galal Yafai takes on Moises Calleros on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Round 3
Left cross by Yafai, right hook by Calleros! The Mexican then tags Yafai with another hard right hook! Yafai isn’t having it all his way as some might have expected he would.
A left straight gets through Calleros’ guard, though. He fires back with body hooks but is warned by the referee for aiming a little too low.
Yafai lands another left cross, and either Calleros is off-balance or he was staggered by that one...
A sneaky right hook connects for Yafai, then another on the counter. Still, Calleros presses forward, switching between head and body attacks.
He’s starting to pay tax on those, however, his head snapping back with more and more Yafai counters.
Impressive resilience and engine from Calleros in this round, but he’s starting to wobble a bit as he eats more and more shots, it seems...
Galal Yafai takes on Moises Calleros on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Round 2
Decent hooks from both fighters early in Round 2. Another lands for Yafai – a right hand to the head of Calleros.
Now a left cross connects with the sternum of Calleros, but the Mexican fires back with a clean uppercut onto the chin of Yafai!
Yafai steps in too far with a left hook, which misses, but he’s then on target with a short backhand.
Heavy right hook to the body by Calleros. He ends the round with a decent combination.
Galal Yafai takes on Moises Calleros on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Round 1
Southpaw Yafai presses forward early. Calleros with a solid left hook to the body, but he’s stung with a straight shot upstairs.
A right hook is just out of range for Yafai, before the flyweights trade crosses late in the round.
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