Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin Press Conference Video, Preview & Betting Odds
By Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media Head Boxing Correspondent
London, UK (February 11th, 2023)– The return of ‘AJ’, former World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, is no joke. Joshua will be returning to the ring on April Fool’s Day, Saturday evening, April 1, 2023, at 02 Arena in Greenwich, against veteran heavyweight Jermaine ‘989 Assassin’ Franklin, in the DAZN televised 12 round main event.
Joshua, 24-3 with 22 knockouts, Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, has lost three of his last four world heavyweight title bouts, including his last two bouts to undefeated Oleksandr Usyk, the World Cruiserweight champion who moved up in weight. The game Franklin, 21-1 with 14 knockouts, Saginaw, Michigan, is coming off a controversial 12 round majority decision loss to contender Dillian White at Wembley Arena in November 2022.
While no supporting card has been announced for 02 Arena as yet, Joshua has won all seven times he has fought there, the last time being a win over Dominic Breazeale in 2016. Joshua was ringside for Whyte versus Franklin, so he knows Franklin’s style, and will now have roughly a month and a half to prepare for his comeback bout. Joshua needs the win to have a chance to fight Tyson Fury in the Fall of 2022, whether or not Fury versus Usyk takes place.
Real Combat Media favors Joshua by a close but clear 12 round unanimous decision in what should be a challenging return for Joshua. Knockdowns could affect scoring. The actual win will go to the fighter who has done the most work. A loss by Joshua would mena Joshua will have lost four of his last five bouts, so a win over Franklin is a must win for AJ. Franklin has a grand opportunity. If he can beat Joshua, Franklin could get a shot at either of the two current world heavyweight champions, Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk. History has proven unlessa heavyweight can do as Jerry Quarry did to Jack Bodell, Oliver McCall to Lennox Lewis (first meeting), Muhammad Ali to Sir Henry Cooper (twice), Muhammad Ali to Brian London, Bonecrusher Smith over Frank Bruno, and Rocky Marciano over Don Cockell, the only way for an American heavyweight to win in Great Britain is to knock the other guy out or stop him convincingly. Franklin lost the 12 round decision to Whyte on UK soil. To defeat Joshua, Franklin will have to knock him out or stop him convincingly. Still, one might have expected a higher level opponent for Joshua, like an Andy Ruiz, Deontay Wilder, Joe Joyce or Luis Ortiz. Franklin will come in to win, meaning AJ must be at the top of his game for this 12 round comeback bout. Franklin is 29 years old, AJ is 33 years old.
The fight at the O2 will be supported by an impressive card, which is starting to take shape.
One fight set to go ahead is Matteo Signani against Felix Cash, with the Italian defending his European middleweight title.
There’s also a light heavyweight title fight, as Craig Richards faces Ricards Bolotniks for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental strap.
Joshua will enter this fight as the overwhelming favorite to win, according to the latest odds from Bet365. A successful £100 wager on Joshua would return a total profit of just £8.30, while a successful bet on Franklin would return a profit of £600.
Check out the press conference video below.
Joshua vs. Franklin Betting Odds:
COMMENTS
English