ANTHONY JOSHUA defeated Jermaine Franklin by a unanimous decision in his return to the ring – then hinted at a potential Tyson Fury fight. But the action continued AFTER the bell as both fighters and their teams clashed when the fight ended.
AJ made his return to the ring for the first time since losing in heart-breaking fashion to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch last August.
Result: Anthony Joshua WINS by UD
Radio: talkSPORT
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AJ and his abs
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.
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.”
AJ wanted a knockout
Anthony Joshua was critical of his own performance – admitting he wanted a knockout.
“No knockout, so no good. It is a brutal sport, but knockouts are everything. I’m not too happy,” AJ said.
“I could have thrown more shots, and I should have, no excuses. But I will. That is part of coming back; you have to be your own biggest critic. If you want to progress, you can’t say that was brilliant and chill out.
“Franklin is a decent counter-puncher; the right hand wasn’t landing; that is one of my best shots but we will build.
“Whatever my coach wants to work on, we’ll work on. I don’t want to put pressure on Derrick; everything that happens in the ring is on me. If you want to be a fighter you have to deal with the pressure.”
Whyte wants revenge
Dillian Whyte wants revenge over Anthony Joshua having grown tired of watching highlights of his knockout loss.
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.
“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.”
Fighting talk
Joe Joyce is adamant that Anthony Joshua would not go the full 12 rounds with him in the ring.
Speaking after AJ’s unconvincing win over Jermaine Franklin, Joyce wrote on Instagram: “There is not a chance in hell that man would hear the final bell against Joyce.”
He added: “The same can be said about Jermaine Franklin.”
Love Island
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.
Haye tells AJ to forget Fury
David Haye has urged Anthony Joshua to drop plans of fighting Tyson Fury next and pick up his rivalry with Dillian Whyte.
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.”
Whyte dismisses AJ comeback
Dillian Whyte was far from impressed by AJ’s comeback.
Here’s exactly how he broke the fight down.
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.
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.
Froch’s damning assessment
Carl Froch has questioned Anthony Joshua’s motivation to continue boxing and cast doubt on whether he can reach the top again.
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?
“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.”
‘Let’s do it’
Tony Bellew 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.
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.’
“‘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.’
“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.”
Tony Bellew nearly found himself embroiled in a scuffle with a member of Jermaine Franklin’s teamCredit: CHISANGA MALATA / THE SUN
The former WBC cruiserweight champ cut a frustrated figure after the incidentCredit: CHISANGA MALATA / THE SUN
Touch of class
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.
“You’re a true inspiration and hero. We wish you all the best in the future and hope you have a blessed journey.”
Jermaine being Frank
Jermaine Franklin has broken his silence following his hard-fought loss to Anthony Joshua.
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.”
Franklin’s tweet included a video of his ring walk with boxing mad youngester James Taylor Archy – who is battling cancer.
Whyte scathing attack
Dillian Whyte launched a stunning attack on Anthony Joshua before his unanimous points victory over Jermaine Franklin.
Speaking to iFL TV ahead of the fight, Whyte said: “These c***ts don’t want to fight me. Wilder, Joshua… Joshua’s a c**t.
“He wants to fight my leftovers and then talks s**t.
“The hardest person to beat is the undefeated heavyweight. He’s been beaten already, his mind is broke.”
Joshua defeated Whyte back in 2015 for the British heavyweight title.
AJ mocks Fury
Anthony Joshua has stoked the fire under a potential summer bout against Tyson Fury after mocking him following his win against Jermaine Franklin.
AJ appeared to mock Fury by doing a gesture of Fury holding up a camera and speaking into it, before making a play on his voice.
Speaking after the fight, he said: “You don’t beat Tyson Fury in a verbal contest.”
He then lifted a phone camera high and took a swipe at Fury’s gesturing.
He added: “Jimmy I’m calling you out tomorrow to come and fight me at Croxdale Park.
“What does he do everyday on the internet?
“(In lower voice) 70-30, you rabbit.”
Hearn on AJ v Franklin
Eddie Hearn has given his assessment of AJ’s performance in his bout v Franklin.
Speaking to DAZN after the fight, he said: “Good 12 rounds under Derrick James. Everyone wants him to be a bit more aggressive in that fight.
“Franklin is a tough style for him, we knew that, took some good shots as well.
“[I] Thought he closed the fight very well, started throwing MORE punches, especially more combinations as well.
“Coming off those two defeats his career was on the line. Everyone expects him to steamroll Franklin but he’s a good fighter and I’m pleased he got the 12 rounds and I think people will be up for fighting him.
“They’ll think he’s still showing some signs of weakness. He took some good shots but I thought his defence was good. [I would] Like to see him be a bit more aggressive.
“But with what was on the line, very happy to be back in the summer with another big fight.”
Mambo No5
Following Anthony Joshua’s unanimous points win over Jermaine Franklin, SunSport have taken a look at what lies ahead for AJ.
In doing so we have potentially outlined his next five fights.
These include Tyson Fury, Dillian Whyte, Joe Joyce, Filip Hrgovic and Deontay Wilder.
Franklin reveals transport to O2
Jermaine Franklin has revealed he took the TUBE to the O2 Arena for his fight against Anthony Joshua.
Posting video on his Instagram, Franklin was asked about the Tube, to which he said: “It was faster than an hour and 30-minute ride so I can’t complain.
“If we left we were just going to be stuck in traffic so it was better than that I guess.”
Saved by the Bell
Tony Bellew was involved a post-fight altercation with a member of Jermaine Franklin’s team moments after the American’s clash with Anthony Joshua.
Franklin suffered a points defeat to the former two-time unified heavyweight champion, who turned in a less-than-impressive display at The O2.
AJ nearly came to blows with Franklin after the final bell but was held back by the ref as Franklin was restrained by a member of his team.
But former WBC cruiserweight king Bellew almost found himself trading blows with a Team Franklin member.
Thankfully no punches were thrown as Bellew was dragged away from the epicentre of the ruckus.
The former WBC cruiserweight champ cut a frustrated figure after the incidentCredit: CHISANGA MALATA / THE SUN
AJ apology
Anthony Joshua has apologised for his part in the ugly brawl which took place immediately after his fight with Jermaine Franklin concluded.
Speaking after the bout, AJ said: “Last time I grabbed the mic, it was a bit chaotic. I’m calm; I appreciate everyone coming out this evening,
“Inside the ring, it is a different energy so I apologise to those watching.
“I respect Jermaine, Eddie [Hearn], thank you for this opportunity. Fans, thank you as well.
“It was important to win. Jermaine has a good duck-and-dive style, somebody else from Britain will probably knock him out; respect to him, he did well.
“I should have knocked him out but it is done. On to the next.
“He is here to prove himself, not roll over. I wish I could have knocked him out.”
Punch stats revealed
The punching stats between Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin have been revealed.
And they show that Franklin threw MORE punches than the Brit.
But AJ was more successful in landing his.
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.
AJ reacts to win
Joshua sees his win over Franklin as momentum gained, despite not being able to get the stoppage he wanted.
Bloody affair
AJ’s shorts were left covered in claret after busting his nose early in the fight.
Another 12-rounder in the bank for the former two-time world champion.
Credit: Reuters
Verbal jab
Anthony Joshua delivered an X-rated blast at Jermaine Franklin after the first round of his patchy comeback victory on points.
AJ triumphed at the 02 following two defeats but was never at his best – and it even KICKED OFF AGAIN after the final bell.
And he 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.”
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Atlas not impressed in AJ
Hall of Famer and legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas was not impressed in Anthony Joshua’s performance last night.
Atlas tweeted: “No change in Joshua with new trainer, he’s a typical English style fighter, very picturesque, but you can hit him standing talk.”
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