Boxing

THERE was chaos in the ring at the end of Anthony Joshua’s homecoming victory against Jermaine Franklin.Despite the bell sounding, both men refused to let go of each other before both corners ran in and got involved.
Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin ensured it was an ugly end to their fightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
They might had 12 rounds, but both boxers wanted some more scrappingCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
You wouldn’t have fancied being in the referee’s shoes on this oneCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

AJ almost appeared as though he was heading into a rugby scrum, shouldering into his American opponent.
Franklin tumbled back towards his corner, who then decided to get involved.
One of his team appeared to lunge towards Joshua, before security and the referee finally got a handle on things.
The fight had threatened to spill over at time, with both fighters having words with each other at the end of rounds.
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AJ was certainly pumped up for it as things threatened to boil over after the opening round.
His American rival was spotted sticking his tongue out at Joshua during the early stages of the bout.
Then once the bell had gone AJ initially refused to sit in his corner as he stood eyeballing his opponent.
Then, still looking fuming, he stood eyeballing before he shouted: “F*** off.”
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The former two-time unified heavyweight champion returned to action at London’s O2 on Saturday night for a make-or-break fight for his glittering career. 
And he secured a wide-margin points win against ex-roofer Franklin.
The judges at the O2 Arena gave it to the Watford brawler unanimously 118-111 and 117-111 twice.
AJ’s hopes of forging a path back to world title contention hinged on making a definitive statement against the American, his first opponent since back-to-back defeats to pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk. 
But the burly Brit failed to prove he’s still a major force to be reckoned with by going the distance with American gunslinger Franklin.
AJ made a successful return to the squared circleCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Things were quickly cooled after the two boxers went head to head after the final bellCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S career suffered another bloody nose after he was dragged the distance by Jermaine Franklin and tried to fight him after the bell.After back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk and the end of his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles, the 33-year-old needed a convincing comeback.
Anthony Joshua locked horns with Jermaine Franklin at the O2 ArenaCredit: Reuters
AJ bid to get back into the win column following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr UsyjCredit: Getty
And he found himself involved in a rough-house boutCredit: PA
He arrived with new trainer Derrick James at a career heaviest 18st 3lbs wearing perfect white shorts.
But he couldn’t really put a dent in the flabby 29-year-old former factory worker and his once-resplendent kit ended up a bright pink.
There were a couple of boos at the end and then AJ fancied some extra wrestling with the American that threatened to spill into a brawl – finally!
Joshua and Franklin nearly traded ADDITIONAL BLOWS after the final bell after more heated trash talk.
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Members of Franklin’s team jumped in and stopped their man from starting a mass brawl.
But thankfully it was cooled and the judges scored it: 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 for a unanimously underwhelming win.
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.
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“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.”
Franklin – who got the tube to the venue after the Blackwall tunnel closure caused gridlock – was so relaxed walking to the ring, punching fists with fans.
He was either living up to his 989 Assassin nickname, or he was just here for a payday and knew his bank balance was set for a huge boost in the morning.
AJ was the opposite, shadowboxing his way into the lights, with new Everlast gloves specially designed and stuffed with horsehair for power punches.
And when he made it to the ring he refused to take his eyes off of Franklin and tried to stare a hole into his dreadlocked head.
Joshua’s early jabs were crisp and Franklin had his head rocked back a couple of times but no real backhands were thrown in the opener. But the Brit hero did need blood wiping away from his nose in the break.
AJ landed his first right hand in the second but Franklin stuck his tongue out to mock him.
A one-two followed and got the partisan crowd roaring but Joshua’s nose was really leaking, it would have caused him problems breathing and it made the centre of his face look like a bullseye for the Saginaw visitor.
Franklin was busy in the third and enjoyed his best session with a couple of combinations.
“But right on the bell the Watford man cracked him with a right hand that might have swayed the judges to award him the stanza.
Joshua was gunshy at timesCredit: Getty
But managed to land several good shofts in close when Franklin tried to frudtrate him in the clinchCredit: Getty
But the anxiety was growing in the arena as Joshua deemed seem in full flow.
Despite height, reach and weight advantages, Joshua refused to impose his will on Franklin and manhandle him.
“And there was a worrying end to the fourth when Franklin scored with a combination and the Englishman looked unsure of himself.
As the fifth started AJ’s white shorts were turning oink with his own blood and Franklin was growing in confidence.
Franklin was whacked by a big right hand but he swallowed it without barely blinking, his resilience must have dented Joshua’s self-belief.
Joshua scored with a clever lead uppercut in round six but it encouraged Franklin to return fire.
The same arena that was once a deafening ram-packed cauldron of support for our AJ suddenly felt very quiet and vast.
Franklin had success with his right hand on a number of occasions after closing the distanceCredit: PA
But Joshua landed the better and more menacing shots of the nightCredit: Getty
There were strange signs of nervousness from AJ in the seventh, looking into the crowd when clinching and looking for afters when the bell rang, before referee Marcus McDonnell separated the men for a well-earned rest.
Right at the start of the eighth, AJ landed a rocket on Franklin’s jaw but the same sort of shot that used to fell trees seemed to bounce off the underdog.
When the action ended the pair were rutting like stags and Joshua shoved his opponent away with the inside palm of his gloves. This was a frustrating night turning toxic.
By round nine one former AJ fan in the expensive seats was shouting “hurry up” and “sort it out”.
Then Franklin caught him with a looped up right hand and the arena groaned with fear.
Joshua landed a couple of uppercuts in round 10, one seemed to send a clunk of flesh flying out of Franklin’s mouth.
But AJ’s killer instinct has, at best, faded or, at worst, he is still gunshy from that shock 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz when he scored a knockdown but was then rocked, dropped and beaten.
Franklin landed his best right hand of the night in round 11 but AJ coped with the straight dig.
There was a final flurry in the last when Franklin looked stung but he was brave and Joshua refused to risk anything.
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Over the last decade we have been desperate for more regular fights from our Olympic icon but when the final belt rang this time, we were glad it was over
Then the row started and Franklin’s assistant trainer tried to get at AJ before ringside pundit Tony Bellew tried to attack the corner man and was pulled away.
Things were bad-tempered after the final bellCredit: Reuters
Both men had to be held back from trading blows after the bellCredit: Reuters
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FABIO WARDLEY sank his second beverage-related boxer by beating Michael Coffie inside four.The 28-year-old Suffolk puncher grinded down Richard Lartey in 2020.
Fabio Wardley celebrates after his fourth-round bombardment meant it was tough beans for Michael Coffie at the The O2 ArenaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Wardley put Coffie through the mixer to take the vacant WBA Continental heavyweight title in London on Saturday nightCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
And he did the hot-drink double by battering his latest American foe on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin.
Manager Dillian Whyte was in Wardley’s corner for his protege’s chief-support slot.
And he hyped up the crowd by waving his arms to urge the Greenwich fans to get loud for his star understudy.
Wardley cracked the switch-hitter with a vicious right hand in the opening minute and targeted his thick body.
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Coffie threw a few haymakers to show he was in town to win but Wardley’s defence has improved drastically and he bobbed and weaved out of danger.
Coffie, 36, had more success in the second, catching the Tractor Boy with jabs and switching stance.
Wardley made a dream start to the third, with three loud right hands landing.
But he dozed off shortly after and got caught a couple of times, one Coffie left hook to the ribs must have stung and too many jabs tagged his face.
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Then, as soon as the fourth started, Wardley steamed in and unloaded a dozen shots from both booming hands.
Coffie was pinned against the ropes and taking punishment when his Philly-shell stance failed to block the onslaught.
After one too many landed flush on his chin, referee Howard Foster dived in to stop the fight.
Coffie was fuming, pushed the official way and screamed into the crowd: “Get the f*** out of here.”
He walked across the ring showing no signs of pain but, when pinned against the ropes, he did look in danger. More

JERMAINE FRANKLIN proved he’s a man of the people – by taking the TUBE to his fight with Anthony Joshua.The American was hand-picked to be the comeback opponent for the first fight of AJ’s career rebuild – which he hoped to kick off at the O2 Arena tonight.
Jermaine Franklin will bid to derail Anthony Joshua’s bid to return to the win columnCredit: SPLASH
American Franklin is a soft-spoken and modest manCredit: SPLASH
And he snubbed a luxury car to the arena in favour of the Jubilee Line to the O2 ArenaCredit: SPLASH
Most fighters headlining the North Greenwich dome normally get a five-star ride to the hallowed arena.
Listen to free live commentary of Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin on talkSPORT. Download the app.
But not Franklin, who opted to hop on the Jubilee line with fight fans for the biggest bout of his career.
Franklin’s manager, Sal Jobe, told SunSport: “We were travelling from Canary Wharf, so it was only one stop because the Blackwall. Tunnel is closed.
“Getting from Canary Wharf from The O2 in a card would’ve been an hour and 30 minutes.
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And usually, it’s 15 minutes. So we travelled from Canary Wharf one step to Greenwhich and we had cars waiting for us.”
Boxing fans will have no doubt been stunned by Franklin getting the tube to the arena – although they’ll be even more aghast if the Michigan mauler shocks the world and hands AJ a third consecutive loss.
Defeat tonight could spell the end of Joshua’s career, but Franklin insists the former two-time heavyweight champ should continue fighting if he loses.
He said: “A lot of people are painting the picture that if AJ loses this might be the end of his career and if I win this might project my career.
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“I don’t buy that if I beat him he has to retire because if I say that it means I’m a bum.
“The world is saying that basically if AJ loses to a guy like me then he’s done but I don’t feel like that’s true.
“AJ can still beat a lot of guys, I just feel confident enough that I can win. I feel like the world is still sleeping on me.”
Joshua, however, reckons his glittering story will be over with a third loss on the bounce.

🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
He said: “How long can this run go on for, three or four years?
“And you know how quick time goes.
“We’re saying this now and we can look back in two years, three years, and be like f***ing hell where’s the time gone?
“So, if I was going to do another run after this, you’re talking about fighting into my forties.
“And I truly believe that boxing is a young man’s sport.
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“It takes a real solid character like Bernard Hopkins, George Foreman, Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin, to go on into their forties.
“But I think this is a run I want to make successful and then, you know, hopefully, go out on top.” More

CAMPBELL HATTON returned to the ring in spectacular fashion courtesy of a body shot his old man would’ve been proud of.Hatton – the son of British boxing legend Ricky – returned to action on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s comeback fight against Jermaine Franklin at The O2 Arena on Saturday night.

Campbell Hatton returned to action on the Joshua vs Franklin undercard of FranklinCredit: Reuters
Hatton sent Fielding crashing to the canvas with a brutal body shotCredit: THE SUN
Standing between Hatton and a perfect 11-0 record was fellow Brit Louis Fielding.
But the Tamworth tussler was no match for the heavy-handed Hatton – who bagged a scintillating first-round stoppage courtesy of a nasty body shot.
Campbell dug a beautiful left hook to the body of Fielding after pinging his head off with slick jabs.
Fielding contemplated returning to his feet but decided midway through the count that the pain was too much.
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Fight fans were quick to comment Hatton’s latest destructive outing, with one saying: “Campbell Hatton – sensational.”
Another said: “What a body shot from Hatton.”
And another said: “Like father like son.”
One remarked: “CAMPBELL HATTON WAS DESTRUCTIVE. SHADES OF HIS DAD… but better.
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Another chimed in: “Some body shot from Campbell Hatton.”
An elated Campbell said in his post-fight interview: “I took my time and picked my shot.
“It was a split-second shot but a delayed reaction from him.
“It would have been nice to show a bit more because in previous fights I have rushed my work and not replicated what I do in the gym.
“In sparring I show lots of things over lots of rounds but I will happily take one-round wins all the time.”
Campbell, 22, began sparring with dad and trainer Ricky at the tender age of 14.
And he ended up feeling the full force of his old man’s hellacious body shots.
Campbell recently recalled: “I threw a shot.
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“Muscle memory – he has pulled out the way and then come flying in, big left hook to the body.
“I hit the deck and I’m rolling, trying to breathe. I hear him over me, ‘S***, don’t tell your mum.'” More

LENNOX LEWIS has been left concerned by Anthony Joshua scaling a career-heaviest for his fight with Jermaine Franklin. Joshua returns tonight and will do so back at the O2 Arena, where he first became heavyweight champion.
Lennox Lewis is concerned by Anthony Joshua scaling a career-heaviestCredit: PA
Anthony Joshua weighed in at 18st 3lbsCredit: Splash
Listen to free live commentary of Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin on talkSPORT. Download the app.
But instead of challenging for titles, AJ is instead fighting to revive his career with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
And the size of the occasion has seen Joshua, 33, bulk to 18st 3lbs when he weighed in yesterday.
British boxing legend Lewis was asked about whether he believes AJ coming in heavy will come as a disadvantage.
He replied: “Hard to say but it is concerning.”
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Joshua was 244lbs – 17st 6lbs – for the heartbreaking second Oleksandr Usyk defeat in August and 4lb lighter for the first.
But AJ weighed a hulking 255lbs – 1lb heavier than his previous most hefty against Carlos Takam in 2017.
And he warned Franklin to expect a brutal battle.
He said: “I’ve got my gameplan, I’ve got my mind right, and I’m just ready to go to war.
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🥊 Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
“I know I’ve got the possibility of [a knockout win], 100 per cent, but there’s a process to get there. I just follow that process.”
Franklin, 29, said: He’s probably bulked up a little bit, but we’re ready for whatever.
“We got a chin of steel, so I’m not worried too much about power, he’s still got to be able to touch me with it.”
Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin ahead of their fightCredit: Splash More