JERMAINE FRANKLIN threw more punches than Anthony Joshua.
But the Brit was more effective with his own to secure victory.
AJ, 33, got dragged all the way to the end of 12 rounds at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night.
But by the time the final bell sounded, the former world champion had just about done enough.
He eventually secured a 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 unanimous points victory.
And that was largely thanks to being more clinical with his shots than his ex-roofer opponent.
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CompuBox stats show Joshua threw a total of 376 punches – a whopping 50 fewer than Franklin’s 426.
However, he landed 31 per cent of those to connect with the American 117 times.
Franklin, though, only managed to hit Joshua 58 times – almost exactly half as many.
AJ threw more punches in just two of the 12 rounds – in the ninth and the 12th.
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He was able to land double figures in half of the rounds.
But Franklin only managed that feat just ONCE in the sixth.
In rounds five and 12, the 29-year-old landed TWO punches in three minutes.
Arguably the most exciting part of the fight came AFTER the final bell.
The two men had to be separated by security as they refused to let go of each other after X-rated verbals at the end of the first.
‘BALL IN FURY’S COURT’
Joshua apologised for his lacklustre display in an impassioned post-fight interview, saying: “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.”
The Watford star then called out Tyson Fury for a summer showdown.
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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.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
