BREAKING: Anthony Joshua beats Jermaine Franklin to claim his first victory since 2020 (Video)
British-Nigerian fighter, Anthony Joshua, bounced back to beat Jermaine Franklin to claimed his first win since 2020.
AJ returned to the ring for the first time since his two losses to Ukrainian war hero Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua had threatened to retire if he lost to Franklin in one of his most important matches.
This is his first victory since being stopped by Kubrat Pulev in December 2020.
Franklin previously held an unbeaten start to his career, winning on his first 20 outings. But he lost against Dillian Whyte in his UK debut.
In the first round, Joshua jabbed Franklin in the face, who exploded with shots over the top.
Joshua was in command, but neither he nor Franklin were willing to take a chance.
Joshua bled from his nose after being tackled by his opponent in the second round.
AJ came out with a bounce, moving around the target, but Franklin countered with a jab.
Joshua missed with his right in Round 3, but Franklin responded by charging him down.
Joshua threw a stinging one-two combination in the fourth round, but it was blocked, and Franklin returned with fire.
Joshua was declared the winner by unanimous decision after the 12th round.
But a scuffle broke out in the ring after the final bell. Joshua appeared to give Franklin a little tap as the fight finished and the two came together and clashed, but there trainers quickly stepped into the ring.
Speaking after normalcy had been restored, Joshua said, “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want? They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you’re listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
“We’ve had dialect before, so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger. “I don’t study my weight, I was sparring 13-15 rounds and felt good. I wish I could come around and speak to every single fan because I appreciate you all.
“O2 what’s happening? That got a bit chaotic but I am calm now.”
Commenting on the melee after the bout ended, Joshua said, “I apologise to anyone who saw that., I respect Jermaine and all the fans. 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.”
Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin FULL FIGHT HIGHLIGHTShttps://t.co/WazD3HXAvq
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— Regency Reporters (@Regency_NG) April 2, 2023
