Joshua vs Franklin LIVE: Result, reaction and latest updates after AJ claims victory
Anthony Joshua outpointed American Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena to bounce back after defeats to Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Joshua outpointed Jermaine Franklin in London tonight as the British heavyweight got back to winning ways.
Joshua, 33, pulled off a first win since 2020 after suffering back-to-back defeats by Oleksandr Usyk, reigniting his career after emerging with a unanimous decision at The O2 in London.
The former Olympic champion, who switched his trainer to American Derrick James for this fight, secure the morale-boosting performance behind a crisp jab and a series of brutal uppercuts. American Franklin proved his worth and added to his reputation after a controversial loss to Dillian Whyte, with his leaner physique ensuring Joshua was troubled by his movement and slippery combinations.
Tonight was the first step back towards a world-title fight for Joshua, with Dillian Whyte or Tyson Fury likely next for AJ. Follow all the reaction and analysis from a thrilling night of boxing below:
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Fabio Wardley faces Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
This is the final bout before tonight’s main event between Joshua and Franklin.
Fabio Wardley faces Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Coffie is out first, before Wardley emerges to a nice reception from the London crowd.
Fabio Wardley faces Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Next up, British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley will face Michael Polite Coffie.
Wardley is 28 years old and has a pro record of 15-0 (14 KOs).
American Coffie, 36, is 13-3 (10 KOs) as a professional.
Jermaine Franklin ready to put Anthony Joshua ‘on his a***'
Franklin backstage: “I’m feeling great, excited, I’m ready to go.
“I’m in shape, it’s what I do. We go to war daily, it’s nothing new to me.
“[I must] win by any means necessary. If I can stop him, I’ll put him on his a***.”
The American’s hands are wrapped ahead of tonight’s main event.
Want to know more about Franklin? Check out this interview with the 29-year-old:
Meet Jermaine Franklin, a soft soul with heavy hands meant for Anthony Joshua
Interview: The American looks ahead to the biggest fight of his career, against ‘AJ’ in London on Saturday
Dillian Whyte in audience for Joshua vs Franklin
Whyte trains with Fabio Wardley, who is in action next.
“Fabio is an amazing prospect,” Whyte says of the heavyweight. “Tall, young, agile. Fabio is brave.
“We picked an easier fight for him, he needs to be careful at what pace he moves at.
“He looks in good shape. He’s calm; sometimes he’s edgy, but today he’s calm, and I hope he starts [quickly].”
Leigh Wood secures Mauricio Lara rematch for 27 May
Lara: “I’m not more confident. [Wood] is capable, we’ll have a great show. Hopefully he’ll be better than last time.”
Leigh Wood secures Mauricio Lara rematch for 27 May
Wood: “There are no other options for me. I made a mistake and I want to put it right. This time I won’t mess around and box him; whoever lands first, let's have a shoot-out. It’s going to end early.”
Lara stopped Wood in the Briton’s hometown of Nottingham earlier this year, taking his featherweight world title in the process.
Leigh Wood secures Mauricio Lara rematch for 27 May
Leigh Wood gets his wish, he’ll fight Mauricio Lara in a dangerous rematch in Manchester on 27 May.
What a fight this will be, explosive, a fire fight.
Wood says it’ll end “early” and he wants to see who “lands first”.
Dillian Whyte in audience for Joshua vs Franklin
Whyte on Joshua: “I hope he wins tonight, I want a chance to redeem myself. I want revenge.”
Whyte beat Joshua in the amateurs but was knocked out by his fellow Briton in a 2015 professional clash.
Tony Bellew gives thoughts on Joshua vs Franklin
Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew:
“AJ has only done eight weeks with his new coach [Derrick James]. It’s different ways.
“We’ll find out where he’s at. Franklin... Dillian said he’s a good fighter, [but that] he was unsure about doing 12 rounds – worried about his gas tank.”
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