ANTHONY JOSHUA has defeated Jermaine Franklin by a unanimous decision in his return to the ring.
But the action continued AFTER the bell as both fighters and their teams clashed when the fight ended.
AJ made his return to the ring for the first time since losing in heart-breaking fashion to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch last August.
- Result: Anthony Joshua WINS by UD
- Radio: talkSPORT
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Fury vs Joshua
Anthony Joshua has opened the door to challenging for Tyson Fury’s WBC belt.
He said: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
“They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you’re listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
“We’ve had dialect before, so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger.”
Credit: Getty Taking the mic
Joshua takes a little dig at himself by laughing off his infamous rant following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
After victory over Jermaine Franklin, he said: “Last time I grabbed the mic, it was a bit chaotic so I’m calm. I appreciate every single person coming out this evening.
“Inside this squared circle, it’s a different type of energy in here so I apologise to anybody watching and seeing that type of stuff because we’re sportsmen.
“But, I respect Jermaine, I respect everyone here tonight. Eddie, thank you for this opportunity, fans and people watching at home, thank you as well.”
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun AJ wants Fury
He says: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
“They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you’re listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
“We’ve had dialect before, so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger.”
Credit: Reuters
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Joshua adds: “I don’t study my weight, I was sparring 13-15 rounds and felt good.”
“I wish I could come around and speak to every single fan because I appreciate you all.”
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Joshua says: “O2 what’s happening? That got a bit chaotic but I am calm now.
“I apologise to anyone who saw that., I respect Jermaine and all the fans.
“Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to tuck up, he did well.
“I should have knocked him out but now it is done and we are on to the next.
“When people come to fight me they bring a different type of energy, he was not here to roll over.”
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Scores read 118-111, and 117-111 twice and your winner… ANTHONY JOSHUA!
Joshua gets his first win in almost three years, dating back to his December 2020 stoppage over Kubrat Pulev.
Perhaps the melee after the fight may be more memorable than the 12 rounds that came before it.
Credit: Reuters Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Joshua grabbed hold of Franklin, drove him back.
Franklin’s trainer then grabbed AJ sparking a ruckus.
After all of that, the scorecards now follow…
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
There’s a scuffle breaking out in the ring after the final bell.
Joshua appeared to give Franklin a little tap as the fight finished and the two came together and clashed.
Commentators now saying Tony Bellew is also amongst the aggro with a member of Franklin’s team.
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 12 – Joshua sees out the final round, boxing behind his jab and staying out of trouble.
A big right hook forced Franklin to hold on, but like with Dillian Whyte last year it was too little too late.
AJ should emerge as a fairy comfortable winner on the cards, which will be his first victory since December 2020, over Kubrat Pulev.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 11 – Lovely left body shot and Franklin appeared to wince in pain as he backs up.
Another lovely left uppercut from AJ after slipping on the inside, a shot he’s looked for all night.
Franklin did well to gain his composure and see out the 11th to head into the 12th and final round.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 10 – Both land big shots towards the final minute and they looked on heavy legs.
Joshua pulls ahead in the round by landing a lovely right hand but Franklin takes it on the chin.
Another right hand is followed up by a left hook from AJ, who finishes the round in control.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 10 – Joshua lands a sneaky right uppercut on the inside, following it up with some slashing hooks.
Another right hand rocks Franklin as they come out of the clinch. Good work from AJ.
Good work again from Joshua, letting his hands go but Franklin comes back with a big right hand!
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 9 – More coming togethers between the two as Franklin leaps in, misses and then grabs.
Franklin fires a right hand over the top, just missing the target and the pair are then warned about the holding on.
Another right hand fires over the top, this time landing on the chin of AJ, who takes it well but maybe concedes the round.
Credit: Getty Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 8 – Joshua comes on strong with a combination and Franklin is forced to hold on.
More clinching and grabbing in this round and the referee is happy to try and let the pair fight it out.
Not too much action in the eighth, Franklin may be feeling the pace a bit as he looked to grab and hold.
Credit: Getty Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 7 – Franklin throws a sharp combination but Joshua fires back with a left hook to the body.
Franklin comes forward with a one-two, forcing AJ back with the Brit looking tentative to commit.
Big right hand at the end of the round from Joshua, he needed that but he was far more static in this round.
Credit: Reuters
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 6 – Solid jab from Joshua, who bring the left hook around after.
Lovely left uppercut from AJ, slipping before throwing but Franklin is unfazed and fires back.
Good work from Joshua’s jab that round but Franklin is relentless and comes back whenever AJ fires off an attack.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 5 – Joshua is leading off, edging his jab out and throwing his right hand but Franklin is quick to fire back.
AJ looks as though he could be saving himself for the later rounds and is also still bleeding.
Fight is really heating up.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 5 – Lovely uppercut on the inside from Franklin after Joshua let his hands go.
Big right hand skims past Franklin’s head, with AJ looking to unload now.
Joshua paws out his right hand, misses and Franklin counters back. Good competitive action here as AJ lands another right hand.
Credit: Reuters Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 4 – Joshua throws a stinging one-two combination but it misses with Franklin returning fire.
Exchange on the inside and AJ takes a short little right hand from Franklin, sneaky shot.
Franklin trying to close the gap and lets his hands go afterwards. He is growing in confidence heading into the fifth.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 3 – Good action in that round as Joshua threw his right hand more, forcing Franklin to counter.
AJ is the one leading off and Franklin is happy to wait to try and counter.
Fight is picking up but still no real danger landed either way.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 3 – Joshua misses with his right but Franklin responds by charging him down but nothing lands.
Joshua finds home with a right but Franklin responds with a left hook, good action.
Another right hand for Joshua as Franklin rushes forward but the American responds back again.
Credit: Reuters
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 2 – Lovely jab snaps Franklin’s head back, a right hand follows but Franklin responds with a body attack.
Lovely defence from AJ, slipping and blocking the attack upstairs from Franklin.
Joshua still bleeding from the nose as he banks another round.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 2 – Joshua is bleeding from the nose as he comes out for round two.
AJ comes out with more of a bounce, moving around the target but Franklin fires off with his jab.
Bit of a tussle as the two come together and Franklin shrugs Joshua off him – forcing the ref to warn him.
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 1 – Joshua is sticking his jab into the face of Franklin, who is looking to explode with shots over the top.
Bit of a feeling out process in the opening stages, with neither wanting to commit.
Joshua in control but neither wanted to take a risk.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 1 – Here we go.
Joshua gets on the jab early, Franklin looks to go to the body with his jab.
AJ feinting, moving laterally, and looking comfortable in the opening minute.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
