Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA was straight onto rest and recovery after celebrating his win over Jermaine Franklin. AJ was taken the distance in victory at the O2, his first win since December 2020.
Anthony Joshua enjoys a recovery sauna session after beating Jermaine FranklinCredit: Instagram @anthonyjoshua
And Joshua ticked off 12 rounds of action, before recovering the next day in the sauna.
Interestingly, AJ appeared to announce that he will “go again” in just 12 weeks time as his promoter Eddie Hearn wants three fights in 2023.
Hearn said: “I would like to see him have a little rest then get straight back to Texas with Derrick and try and have an end-of-summer fight, and then try and fight in December.
Joshua, 33, bounced back from consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk with a much-needed victory over American Franklin in London on Saturday.
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Already a WBC world title challenge against Tyson Fury has been touted for AJ, who is up for the super-fight.
He said: “You know me, I try and provide for the fans so whatever the fans want, who the fans want, they said Fury?
“Well the ball’s in his court. I 100 per cent would be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“I stand here and say that proudly, that would be an honour.
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“So wherever you are if you’re listening you know my management, you know my promoter, we’ve had dialogue before so let’s hopefully get this on sooner than later.
“We’re not getting any younger. I can’t wait to get back to Texas, develop and push on because there’s a bigger fight.
“I can’t wait to get the next big fight.”
Anthony Joshua beat Jermaine Franklin in his return fightCredit: RICHARD PELHAM More

DILLIAN WHYTE wants revenge on Anthony Joshua having grown tired of watching highlights of his knockout loss. The heavyweight rivalry dates back to 2009 when Whyte won their amateur thriller in London.
Dillian Whyte wants revenge on Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty
Anthony Joshua after beating Jermaine Franklin in an underwhelming points winCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
But six years later, Joshua levelled it up with a brutal seventh-round stoppage, with a trilogy decider still being discussed.
Whyte was ringside to watch AJ’s comeback fight against Jermaine Franklin – who he beat in November – and called out his old rival.
He told DAZN: “I hope he wins tonight because I want to fight him next.
“Me against the Franklin, the winner should have been fighting AJ, it was supposed to be the winner fights AJ next and he is fighting the loser.
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“So I hopes he wins tonight. I want the chance to redeem myself because he keeps playing this video of him knocking me out years and years ago and I want revenge.”
Joshua, 33, went on to beat Franklin, 29, over 12 rounds to bounce back from consecutive defeats.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has teased a rematch with Whyte, 34, next while Tyson Fury also remains in the mix.
But one thing is for certain, Whyte was left far from impressed by AJ’s performance at the O2.
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He said: “I don’t think he looked particularly good tonight.
“He seems a bit apprehensive, the right hand is still there and the boxing skills are still there, but the aggression is not there.
“The difference is in the last two rounds I went after Franklin, he didn’t. I’ll always have a go, win, lose or draw, I’ll have a go.”
Anthony Joshua beat Dillian Whyte in 2015Credit: Reuters More

DAVID HAYE has urged Anthony Joshua to drop plans of fighting Tyson Fury next and pick up his rivalry with Dillian Whyte. Former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion Haye watched from ringside as AJ beat Jermaine Franklin over 12 rounds.
Anthony Joshua after beating Jermaine FranklinCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Tyson Fury was called out by Anthony JoshuaCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
And Joshua opened the door to a British blockbuster for Fury’s WBC title next.
But Haye reckons a return against Whyte – who also outpointed Franklin – is the more sensible option.
He told iFL TV: “I’d like to see him in there with Dillian next, that would be nice, that makes perfect sense.
“They both went points with him, that’s a nice all British clash, London derby. I like that.”
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Joshua, 33, brutally knocked out Whyte, 34, in 2015 only six years after losing their amateur bout.
And promoter Eddie Hearn previously teased a summer stadium bout for the pair to settle their score.
But the allure of a super-fight with Fury, 34, remains, especially after his talks to unify the division against Oleksandr Usyk, 36, collapsed.
Although after AJ was taken the distance by Franklin, 29, Haye warned Joshua against those plans for now.
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He said: “I want to see him in with Dillian next. That’s not the performance to go in there with Tyson Fury.
“If he went out there and blitzed him in a couple of rounds, OK but he needs a better performance than that to jump in with Tyson, in my opinion.
“I’d like to see him in there with Dillian, where you know what it’s going to be like, it’s going to be fireworks.
“That’s a high-profile fight, lot’s of pressure someone that’s coming in that can punch. That will get everyone’s juices flowing.
“And then the winner of that can look at Fury. But Fury’s looking at fighting Usyk anyway, or is he?”
David Haye wants Anthony Joshua to fight Dillian Whyte nextCredit: PA
Dillian Whyte wants to fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA got back to winning ways on Saturday night with a laboured victory over Jermaine Franklin.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion stopped the rot with a points victory over the dogged and determined American.
Anthony Joshua returned to action against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday nightCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
AJ registered a laboured points victory over the American at the O2 ArenaCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
Victory over Franklin was Joshua’s first in nearly three yearsCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
Joshua’s first win in nearly three years – which was far from pleasing on the eye – has put him back on course for a third world title run.
SunSport was in attendance at the packed O2 Arena and got sight of several things the DAZN cameras didn’t broadcast.
Here are five things the cameras didn’t show you.
Tony Bellew’s bust-up
Former WBC cruiserweight champ Tony Bellew was involved a post-fight altercation with a member of Jermaine Franklin’s team moments after the final bell.
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Bellew nearly came to blows with trainer Lorenzo Reynolds but was held back by security and fellow boxing pundit Steve Bunce.
Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and no post-fight punches were thrown.
The Bomber has since revealed he nearly traded blows with Reynolds after the coach aggressively approached Joshua following the Brit’s post-bout altercation with Franklin.
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The Bomber nearly found himself embroiled in a scuffle with a member of Team FranklinCredit: CHISANGA MALATA / THE SUN
The former WBC cruiserweight champ cut a frustrated figure after the incidentCredit: CHISANGA MALATA / THE SUN
Louis Theroux
For the best part of the last decade, every Joshua fight has been an event of national interest – with the nation’s media following the big man wherever he competes.
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The BBC are no different, although they had arguably their most recognisable interviewer on the scene for the return of AJ.
British television icon Louis Theroux was in attendance to see the eagerly-anticipated return of AJ – and he had a camera crew in tow.
No doubt there’s an incoming documentary of Theroux behind the scenes with the former two-time unified heavyweight champion.
The BBC’s Louis Theroux was present at The O2 along with his camera crewCredit: SUN SPORT
Love Island stars
The likes of AJ and Tyson Fury have well and truly helped repopularise the sport of boxing in the UK.
As such, celebs – both A and Z list, are always pining for a seat at the biggest ticket in town.
SunSport spotted two Love Islanders in attendance – one of whom was reality TV star turned boxer AJ Bunker.
The other, was Michael Griffiths, who was sat behind press row taking in the fight in an expensive-looking outfit.
Love Island star AJ Bunker was one of several celebs in attendance at The O2Credit: INSTAGRAM@ANDREAJANEBUNKER
Empty seats
Joshua’s long-awaited return to The O2 was billed as a sell-out affair by the arena and Matchroom Boxing..
But before the co-main event between Fabio Wardley and Michael Coffie got underway, there were several empty seats.
And there were even a few empty spaces as AJ made his walk to the ring.
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Axed Channel 4 star
TV hardman Ant Middleton is no stranger to attending boxing and UFC fights.
And the former SAS: Who Dares Wins was front and centre for Joshua’s comeback bout, sitting ringside for the return of the golden boy of British boxing.
Ant Middleton was also in attendance at the O2Credit: Getty More

CARL FROCH has questioned Anthony Joshua’s motivation to continue boxing and cast doubt on whether he can reach the top again.AJ returned the ring with a unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin last night at The 02 Arena.
Anthony Joshua returned to the ring with a points victory over Jermaine FranklinCredit: Reuters
Carl Froch cast doubt over AJ’s motivations and whether he can return to the topCredit: AFP
After the bout, which included an X-rated tirade at the end of the first round before a post-match brawl almost erupted, he set his sights on a showdown with Tyson Fury.
However, after what many consider to be a below-par performance, Froch appeared to criticise Joshua.
And he asked whether money was enough to keep him motivated while saying that he had seen nothing in Joshua’s performance to suggest that he can return to the top of the heavyweight division.
Froch told BBC Radio 5Live: “In the ring at world title level he’s been there, done the business. And now I don’t know. What motivates him?
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“We talked about it, he wants the money. I don’t understand why he’s fighting. I just don’t.
“It’s a dangerous sport. Money can’t be the motivation when you’ve earned over £100m.
“I’ve not seen anything in that performance that he wants to be a world champion again.”
Dillian Whyte, who is also eyeing up a rematch with AJ, also says that his rival should quit if his heart is no longer in it.
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The 34-year-old, who lost via technical knockout in December 2015 when he faced his fellow Brit the first time, said: “Joshua has lost all his aggression and killer instincts.
“The ability is still there, the boxing is still there – he looks the part.
“But every time Franklin shaped up like he was going to hit him, he hesitated. I’ve never seen him like that, he’s a bit shell-shocked.
“The last few rounds Joshua was very hesitant.
“Signs of fighter who doesn’t want to do it anymore. If he doesn’t want to do it anymore, I think he should stop.” More

TONY BELLEW has revealed what sparked his near brawl with a member of Jermaine Franklin’s team.The former WBC cruiserweight champion nearly came to blows with trainer Lorenzo Reynolds moments after the 989 Assassin’s defeat to Anthony Joshua.
Tony Bellew was part of the DAZN broadcast team for Anthony Joshua’s clash with Jermaine FranklinCredit: REX
The Bomber nearly found himself embroiled in a scuffle with a member of Team FranklinCredit: CHISANGA MALATA / THE SUN
The former WBC cruiserweight champ cut a frustrated figure after the incidentCredit: CHISANGA MALATA / THE SUN
The pair had to be pulled back after a heated exchange, which followed a near melee between Joshua and Franklin.
And Bellew has revealed he gave a piece of his mind to Reynolds after the American made an aggressive post-fight “approach” to AJ.
He told iFL TV: “You can’t have a trainer going for a boxer.
‘So I said, ‘Hey lad what are you playing at?’ And he’s said something and I’ve said, ‘F*** it, let’s do it then.
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” I’ll f***ing meet you with a right hand.’ His mate apologised to me and I said ‘you can’t’.
‘I didn’t want the trouble with him but I just said, ‘What are you doing?’ And he went, ‘What are you going to do?’
‘I said, ‘What the f*** are you going to do’. So I’ve stepped down like ‘Let’s go.’.
“I stepped aside so I thought he was going to step to me and a right hand was going to meet him.
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“But he didn’t get close enough so what do you want me to do?
“I was just trying to tell the man that you can’t approach a fighter, so you can’t do that.
“It’s down to the fighters and if Jermaine and [Anthony] are having a little tussle.”
Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn said of the incident: “I asked him [Bellew] I think he just said that [Franklin’s] trainer went for AJ or something.
“And he shouted something, and then he shouted something at Bellew.
Anthony Joshua’s victory over Franklin saw him get back into the win columnCredit: GETTY
“He’s probably the wrong person to shout something at.”
Victory over Franklin saw Joshua pick up his first win in nearly three years and move a small step back towards world title contention.

In his post-fight interview, AJ said: “Last time I grabbed the mic, it was a bit chaotic so I’m calm.
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“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.” More

JERMAINE FRANKLIN has broken his silence following his hard-fought loss to Anthony Joshua.The American suffered a unanimous decision defeat to the former two-time unified heavyweight champion at The O2 Arena on Saturday night.
Jermaine Franklin locked horns with Anthony Joshua at The O2 on Saturday nightCredit: Alamy
The American suffered a unanimous decision defeat to the former unified champCredit: Alamy
Franklin has vowed to bounce back from his second career lossCredit: REUTERS
Franklin turned in a dogged display and had some success with his counters and in the clinch, although the judges didn’t favour his roughhouse tactics.
But the 989 Assassin was far from happy with his performance against the poster boy of British boxing.
He tweeted: “To fans/sponsor. I didn’t fight the fight I planned on fighting.
“One dream for @james_taylor_archy_ was made last night and my dream of being champ is on hold briefly.”
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Franklin, 29, insists he’ll use the lessons learned from his second professional defeat to spearhead himself to a world title.
He continued: “I learned so much last night. I will be back.
“Thank you UK fans. @989_assassin.”
Franklin’s tweet included a video of his ring walk with boxing mad youngester James Taylor Archy – who is battling cancer.
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The American showed his class by giving young James a once-in-a-lifetime experience of being behind the scenes during fight week.
And James’ parents sent Franklin a heartfelt thank you message on Instagram.
The message read: “We would like to thank you for doing everything in your power to make James’ night a truly special and unforgettable one making some beautiful memories.
“You didn’t have to do anything at all. You are one amazing and unbelievable person with a heart of gold.
“Although you did not win, you will always be a winner and a champion to us.
Victory over Franklin saw Anthony Joshua return to the win columnCredit: Reuters
“You’re a true inspiration and hero. We wish you all the best in the future and hope you have a blessed journey.”
Victory over Franklin saw Joshua snap a two-fight skid, which was inflicted on him by pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.
In his post-fight interview, he said: “Last time I grabbed the mic, it was a bit chaotic so I’m calm.
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“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.” More