Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin

Anthony Joshua bids for a first win since 2020 against American opponent Jermaine Franklin. Join Bryan Armen Graham for the latest.

That is nearly 11lb (5kg) heavier than his last fight, the August rematch against Usyk. “We can’t look back,” Joshua said this week. And Joshua immediately connects with a crisp jab. Franklin lands another right hand and Joshua is bleeding heavily from his nose. Franklin lands an overhand right and Joshua cracks back with a vicious counter. There’s an explosive exchange along the ropes near the end of the round, but Joshua emerges unscathed. The Michigan man is struggling more and more to close the distance, paying a cost whenever he tries to slip inside. The round follows what’s become a familiar pattern for two and a half minutes with Joshua boxing effectively until Franklin lands a huge right hand near the end of the round that rocks the Briton and moves him backward. Does the American have a fight-changing punch left in him? Joshua hurts Franklin with a body shot. with Joshua getting the better of them. [read Donald McRae’s full report](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/01/anthony-joshua-taken-the-distance-but-beats-jermaine-franklin-on-points) from ringside at the O2.

Image: London, UK: Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin, Heavyweight Contest.1 April 2023.Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing.

Joshua vs. Franklin took place April 1 at The 02 in London, England. Anthony Joshua (25-3) and Jermaine Franklin (21-2) faced off in the night's main event in a ...

MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Joshua. Franklin has had enough — he shucks off another clinch and gets admonished by the referee. Franklin bulldozes inside and smacks Joshua with a right hand. Joshua measures distance then cracks Franklin with a stiff left. Franklin wings off a right hand only to be dragged back into the clinch. Back to the clinch for Joshua. Double jab for Joshua. Franklin finally uncorks a right hand that connects. Joshua catches Franklin with a clubbing forearm behind the head. Joshua dodges is all and cracks Franklin with a nice counter. Franklin jawing at Joshua at the end of that round. Franklin paws forward with his right hand.

Anthony Joshua faced twelve rounds against a resilient Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.

They were broken up before the judges were able to reveal their scorecards, with Steve Gray (GB) awarding the fight 118-111 to AJ. However, that plan was not to come to fruition as Franklin came out swinging and Joshua employed a conservative approach in the opening exchanges. Franklin had shown true grit and resilience but Joshua's ability to defend from his more aggressive opponent and counter with rock solid jabs was enough.