Heavyweight boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA has confirmed his April 1 comeback against Jermaine Franklin.The 33-year-old London 2012 legend lost his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Anthony Joshua has confirmed his April 1 comeback against Jermaine FranklinCredit: Getty
Franklin lost to Dillian Whyte in NovemberCredit: Instagram
Joshua announced the fight on social media on MondayCredit: Matchroom
And he turned down a December Battle of Britain with WBC Gypsy King Tyson Fury to focus on his rebuild.
That starts at the O2 on April Fools Day, with AJ under the guidance of new American trainer Derrick James.
And Watford’s two-time champ says fans should get excited about his latest reincarnation.
He tweeted confirmation of the fight on Monday afternoon alongside a promo picture and the caption: “A New Dawn 🌅”.
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It is the first time in eight years that Joshua will NOT be fighting on pay-per-view, with the bout available to DAZN subscribers.
However, those who are not subscribed to DAZN will have to either pay £19.99 for a one-month subscription, £9.99 per month for a full year, or £99.99 as a one-off payment for a full 12-month subscription.
One person fuming about the bout is Dillian Whyte, who outpointed Franklin in November under the impression it was a semi-final for the Joshua showdown.
The score between the pair is 1-1 and the 34-year-old Brixton Body Snatcher is raging he has been refused the chance to settle it.
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Whyte told SunSport: “Everyone was told, all the boxing fans, that the winner of me and Franklin fights AJ, so this is a f***ed up thing.
“I would have been better off losing the Franklin fight and getting the AJ fight!
“It’s no surprise to me that they have chosen April 1 for this battle of the fools.”
AJ was supposed to enjoy a December 17 gimme comeback – to recover from the two punishing points defeats he suffered against the Ukraine ace – and then fight Whyte in April.
But that plan was another dud and now he is set to meet the modest American who was working in a roof insulation factory last year to feed his family.
Whyte feels like he and the boxing fans are getting stuffed over this bout and he will not sit out in the cold until the summer.
He even worries another AJ loss against the tough Michigan man will leave their third clash in tatters and a lot of people looking silly.
“It hasn’t shocked me,” he said. “The people around Joshua are in the business of looking after him and running their whole operation around him.
“I faced Franklin, the most dangerous and undefeated version of him, and beat him. He has lost his momentum and belief and he is easy pickings for Joshua now.
“It was the first big fight of his career, Eddie was promising him many millions to fight AJ if he beat me, that was the fight of his life, and now he’s just an opponent.
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“It’s not marinating the fight between me and Joshua, we’ve been waiting seven years already for it.
“It’s protecting AJ because they all know that if he loses again he will probably jack it in and a lot of people will be left with their limp d***s in their hands.”
Dillian Whyte fumed at missing out on a rematch with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing More

THE trainer who led Andy Ruiz Jr to victory over Anthony Joshua reckons the British star should have stuck by coach Robert Garcia. AJ hired Garcia after defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021, parting with long-time cornerman Rob McCracken.
Anthony Joshua with trainer Robert GarciaCredit: PA
Andy Ruiz Jr with ex-coach Manny Robles in 2019Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
But after losing in his Saudi Arabia rematch to Usyk last August, Joshua again went back to the drawing board.
Ahead of his proposed return fight on April 1, he has linked up with trainer of the year candidate Derrick James in Texas.
But Manny Robles – who guided Ruiz in both his win and loss over AJ in 2019 – believes Garcia should have been given more time.
Robles told Fight Hub:“When Anthony Joshua was with Robert, Robert couldn’t have had it any harder facing Usyk, facing one of the top fighters in the heavyweight division. So he didn’t have it easy.
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“So, he didn’t have time to implement his style on Joshua because it was too fast, too soon, and too quick.
“On the other hand, with this new coach, he’s going to potentially have a tune-up fight.
“It’s not going to be as hard as a fight with Usyk. Although there’s no such thing as a tune-up fight, really, or an easy fight, if you will.
“He didn’t have it easy for Robert. It would have been nice for Joshua to stick with Robert for another fight or so, and by the way, Joshua showed a lot in that second fight against Usyk.
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“He went to the body, which is something he’s not accustomed to doing. He did better.
“He fought a better fight the second time around. Unfortunately, he came up short, but it was a lot closer than the first fight.”
Joshua, 33, is in need of a confidence-building win after consecutive defeat to pound-for-pound star Usyk, 36.
And Jermaine Franklin, 29, is set to be his next opponent, despite a narrow loss to Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
Robles believes Garcia would have benefitted from a similar type of bout but backed AJ’s decision to hire James.
He said: “I don’t know what they’re thinking, but I would stick with Robert.
“I would stick with Robert and give him an opportunity to implement his style, and you might see a bigger change in Joshua.
“Derrick James is a great trainer, and now he’s got to start all over again. He’s a great coach, and he’s proved it time and time again.
“As a matter of fact, in my humble opinion, he should have been trainer of the year. Again, he came up short.
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“He’s got Charlo, and he’s got Errol Spence, Frank Martin. They didn’t give it to him but well deserved.
“Derrick James is a great trainer, but when you keep jumping from one coach to another, you got to start all over again. At this level, I don’t know.”
Errol Spence Jr with his coach Derrick JamesCredit: Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions More

TYSON FURY has been warned he faces being “a step behind” the elusive Oleksandr Usyk as Tony Bellew made a U-turn in his fight prediction. Fury, 34, and Usyk, 36, have been negotiating the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed decider since the new year.
Tyson Fury facing off with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters
And despite talks dragging on, a fight date in Saudi Arabia on April 29 is being eyed.
The drawn out discussions have allowed for several opinions to alter on how the bout will play out.
And ex-cruiserweight world champion Bellew – who was sent into retirement by Usyk in 2018 – has also changed his mind.
He told JOE: “I’ve always thought Fury’s going to be too big, but the closer this has drawn I actually side towards Usyk.
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“I think Usyk is the only one that can beat him. What I will say about Tyson Fury is, since linking up with SugarHill, his style has evolved massively.
“He is no longer a feather fisted fighter. He’s a heavy handed, pressure counter puncher.
“I think it’s one of the best transformations I’ve ever seen in a fighter.
“I’ve always thought he’s gonna be a really huge, awkward heavyweight that is a nightmare to fight, but now he’s a big, awkward, dangerous heavyweight.”
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Bellew points to Fury’s 2013 win over former cruiserweight Steve Cunningham, who dropped the Gypsy King, to strengthen his case.
He added: “The only problem is, at that kind of weight and that kind of size, he’s always going to be a step behind Oleksandr Usyk.
“Usyk has got the greatest footwork in the world. His feet are just exceptional.
“I understand the theory of Fury being the favourite going in, but if anyone is going to beat him, it’s going to be Oleksandr Usyk because he is quick enough to dart in and out all night.
“He is fit enough. He is sharp enough. To take [Fury’s] quote, the hardest he’s ever pushed was Steve Cunningham, a cruiserweight who dropped him.
“If you think Steve Cunningham’s style is hard, wait till you f***ing get in the ring with Oleksandr Usyk, mate.”
Tony Bellew was sent into retirement by Oleksandr UsykCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

EDDIE HEARN has admitted if Anthony Joshua does not beat Jermaine Franklin in his return fight, they face a major problem. AJ is coming off consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk and is set to come back on April 1 at the O2 Arena.
Anthony Joshua with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: PA
Both Joshua and Franklin have agreed terms to the fight, but promoter Hearn insisted neither have officially signed despite ongoing talks.
An announcement is due to come this week, which will mark AJ’s must-win comeback bout.
Hearn told BBC Sport: “There’s a lot of pressure to come back. Because if AJ don’t win that fight, then we’ve got a major problem.”
Joshua, 33, has linked up with new trainer Derrick James in Texas following double defeat by Usyk, 36.
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He watched from ringside in November as Dillian Whyte, 34, edged past Franklin, 29, in a disputed decision win.
It has set up the pair of amateur rivals-turned professional opponents for a summer stadium rematch.
But first AJ returns back at the O2 for the first time in seven years as Hearn warned to expect a throwback performance.
He said: “I’m telling you now this guy is still a top three heavyweight in the world capable of regaining his world heavyweight title on April the 1st at the O2 Arena , probably against Jermaine Franklin.
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“You will see the return of Anthony Joshua. Honestly I believe you will see a statement from a guy who is very dangerous, very motivated to become a three-time heavyweight champion.”
Joshua has faced criticism for returning against Franklin, but Hearn hit back: “Tyson Fury has just beat Deontay Wilder, just beat Dillian Whyte and then fought Derek Chisora.
“Anthony Joshua’s got defeat to Usyk, defeat to Usyk, and fighting Jermaine Franklin who many feel beat Dillian Whyte.
“I mean, it’s a really tough fight.”
Dillian Whyte narrowly beat Jermaine FranklinCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING More