ANTHONY JOSHUA returns to the ring on Saturday following back to back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
And a dominant win over American fighter Jermaine Franklin could set up a mouthwatering all-British showdown with Tyson Fury.
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That is the view of former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton.
The two heavyweights came close to fighting in the summer of 2021 before the Gypsy King was forced into a trilogy bout against Deontay Wilder.
Fury currently does not have a fight in the calendar after talks with Usyk over an undisputed bout broke down.
And Frampton reckons a commanding Joshua win on Saturday night would be a call-out to Fury.
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Writing in his BBC column, Frampton said: “I’m not saying a win against Franklin will automatically set up the Fury fight, but I would love to see a stern, clear call-out – ‘I want Tyson Fury next’.
“Fury might also be in a position now where he feels like he has to take that fight.
“He may feel AJ is an easier fight than the Usyk fight, which quite possibly it is.
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“I think it could all work in AJ’s favour.
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“It could also be a chance for both Britons to get people back on side as well.”
Top Rank chief Todd DuBoef also reckons the AJ vs Fury bout is the “biggest fight in the world” and could still happen this year.
However, Frampton declared Joshua going the distance with Franklin would not be enough to set up a fight with Fury.
While he also suggested a defeat to the American, who was beaten by Dillian Whyte last November, could be the “end” for AJ.”
He warned: “A points win is not good enough. I want to see him get rid of Franklin early, stand in the ring and call out Tyson Fury.
“Fury-Joshua is still huge. A massive fight not just for British boxing but also on a global stage.
“A loss, and I think that’s the end for Joshua. Where does he go from there?”
🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
