Anthony Joshua returned to the O2 Arena in London to record a victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday; The win was essential for Joshua’s hopes of reclaiming a world title but he did not record a statement knockout.
Anthony Joshua beat Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night, an essential victory for the former champion’s future progression.
After a painful loss in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last year, former champion Anthony Joshua was looking for his first victory since 2020 against Jermaine Franklin in London.
He had to win against the tough American and took a clear unanimous decision, 118-111 and 117-111 twice.
Franklin is a tough American heavyweight who had only lost once in 22 professional bouts and that was a close-fought majority decision defeat to Dillian Whyte in November.
While this fight was his first without at least one world title on the line in seven years, for Joshua it was still one of his most crucial. The result would determine the future direction of his career.
A third consecutive loss, for a star of Joshua’s calibre, would have left his further aspirations in tatters. In the build up to the contest he himself said he would retire, such were the stakes for him going into this fight.
A win, however, would propel him back once again towards his more accustomed place at the upper end of the heavyweight division.
He secured that victory, controlling the fight overall. But while he landed heavy shots, the chance to make a statement and drop or stop Franklin escaped him.
Clinches marred portions of the fight and the bout finished with further ill-tempered scenes as Franklin’s corner rushed at Joshua and the two fighters had to be separated.
