JOSHUA VS. FRANKLIN PRESS CONFERENCE, BETTING ODDS & WEIGH-IN VIDEO
London, UK (March 31st, 2023)– A New Dawn has risen on Anthony Joshua’s career as he takes on Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena in London this Saturday 1st April.
This fight marks the start of a rebuild for Joshua (24-3) after consective losses against Oleksandar Usyk. However, with a new trainer, AJ will be looking to show that he is still a dangerous force in the heavyweight division. His opponent will also be out to prove he has what it takes to challenge the top dogs in the division, with Franklin’s (21-1) only loss being his last time out against Dillian Whyte in incredibly close-run fight that could easily been judged the other way.
Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin came face to face for the first time since their launch press conference at the beginning of February this evening as they kicked off fight week at the ‘New Dawn’ launch party ahead of their huge Heavyweight clash at The O2 in London this Saturday April 1, shown live worldwide on DAZN.
The rivals began fight week media activities at the brand new art’otel overlooking the iconic Battersea Power Station on the south bank of the River Thames in Nine Elms, Battersea, in the London Borough of Wandsworth.
Former two-time unified Heavyweight Champion of the World Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) fights at The O2 in London for the first time since 2016 as he begins life under the tutelage of new head trainer Derrick James. ‘AJ’ returns to the scene of his first World Title win over Charles Martin to face another American contender in Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs).
Saginaw’s ‘989 Assassin’ pushed Dillian Whyte all the way in a close points loss at Wembley’s OVO Arena last November and is relishing his shot against one of the biggest names in the sport. British megastar Joshua is ready to begin his ascent back to the top of the Heavyweight division after suffering back-to-back losses to pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk in London and Saudi Arabia.
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman
“We’ve just done the promo shoots downstairs and Jermaine Franklin has a six pack. I don’t know where it has come from. He’s lost 24 pounds. He fought Dillian Whyte and had a nice little belly like most of us and all of a sudden he’s ripped to shreds. He’s talking the right language, he’s telling the guys down there that he’s going to knock ‘AJ’ the f**k out.
“I think you’re going to see a great fight on Saturday and it is a dangerous fight. There’s a huge amount of pressure on Anthony Joshua on Saturday night and he’s got to stick one of this geezer early and hurt him. This is a real fight. If ‘AJ’ lets him get confident in this fight it is going to be a very difficult fight.
“It’s going to be a completely full house at The O2 on Saturday, it’ll be absolutely rammed. It will be buzzing for ‘AJ’s’ ringwalk. We’re only five days away now. When he ringwalks, check out the energy in that arena, it is going to be electric.”
“If Franklin possesses certain weaknesses I’ll be able to exploit them. It has been difficult over the past few fights to exploit people’s weaknesses because they’re very difficult to catch and pin down but hopefully I’ll be able to exploit Franklin’s weaknesses and show some of my old self.
“At a certain level it’s hard to go into the ring and knock someone out within like ten seconds. There’s a process to getting that knockout and you have to be disciplined. I understand, there’s high expectations. People put their own expectations on other people. People put me in high regard – that’s where the pressure comes from, me having to deliver. I understand that and I’ll do my best for sure.
“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves, fighters. Hearing that final bell or hearing the ref count it out is such a high feeling that no amount of money can give you that feeling. It’s true. It’s a mad feeling. Each fight is a new chapter I’d say. Every chapter is so important.
“If Jermaine were to be successful on Saturday night I’d give him the respect he deserves. I’ll make the decision if I want to fight on or not. I feel like I can make that decision. If I want to continue fighting I don’t think it’s up to anyone to dictate to me. I don’t think anyone can tell me what to do in my career anyway.”
On Dillian Whyte defeat:
“I’m very strong mentally. My team and the fans made me feel okay about the decision. This is boxing, sometimes it happens in boxing. We don’t all get fair shakes. I’ve never really had a fair shake in my whole career. I didn’t cry about it, I didn’t complain about it, I just went back home and started working. You’ve got to knock them out or you’ve got to dominate them in conclusive fashion.”
On size difference:
“He’s only four inches taller than me. He’s 6’6″ and I’m 6’2″. I’ve been sparring big guys my whole career. This is nothing new to me.”
On Andy Ruiz Jr comparison:
“We’re two different fighters. Me and Andy are two different fighters. We don’t have the same style. Andy probably provides a little more pressure than I do, he fights a little more in spurts. I try to use my jab more and work inside/out.”
On being overlooked:
“I’ve always been overlooked. Personally in my opinion I’ve just got to go out there and show him that I’m not what they think I am. They call me a tune-up and they say I’m going to get knocked out in four or five rounds so I’m just coming here to kick ass and show the world this isn’t it.”
On people saying Joshua should retire if he loses to him:
“I find that disrespectful. People haven’t really seen me. I find it disrespectful that people think that low of me. They think I’m not a great fighter, they think I’m not a good fighter. I find it disrespectful but that is the kind of sport we’re in. We don’t get love like basketball, football and all the other sports. Boxing is more either you’re on top or you’re not.”
On how he feels about Joshua:
“I respect him as a man. I respect all fighters. When people talk shit we talk it back. I’m a fan of the sport. I’ve been a fan of the sport for a long time, way before I ever thought we’d get this fight. I feel like all boxers need a little bit of respect. It’s a tough sport, it’s a real brutal sport and some of us don’t make it out of that ring.”
Joshua vs. Franklin headlines a huge night of boxing in London, British Heavyweight Champion Fabio Wardley (15-0, 14 KOs) meets American Michael Polite-Coffie (13-3, 10 KOs) for the vacant WBA Continental title, taly’s European Middleweight ruler Matteo Signani (32-6-3, 12 KOs) defends his title against former British and Commonwealth Champion Felix Cash (16-0, 10 KOs), undefeated Texas Middleweight Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams (13-0 9 KOs) fights in the UK for the third time against Coventry’s River Wilson-Bent (14-2-1, 6 KOs), Campbell Hatton (10-0, 3 KOs) is back in action against Louis Fielding (10-7, 1 KO) after hitting double figures in Liverpool in March, Essex’s John Hedges (7-0 2 KOs) lands his first eight round clash against Poland’s Daniel Bocianski (11-2, 2 KOs), Jordan Flynn (8-0, 1 KO) faces the stiffest examination of his credentials when he meets Birmingham stalwart Kane Baker (18-9-1 1 KO) over eight rounds, Albanian Cruiserweight Juergen Uldedaj (15-0, 6 KOs) takes on Switzerland’s Benoit Huber (8-3, 6 KOs) over eight rounds, Ziya Almaayouf (2-0, 1 KO) faces Bulgaria’s Georgi Velichkov (3-10, 3 KOs) over four rounds and German Heavyweight Peter Kadiru (14-1, 7 KOs) opens the evening’s action against Macedonia’s Alen Lauriolle (6-1, 3 KOs) over six rounds.
JOSHUA VS. FRANKLIN FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:
“Welcome back to London ahead of a huge night on Saturday night from The O2 Arena, the Lion’s Den and the scene of so many great Anthony Joshua nights. We return there for perhaps one of the most important fights of his career. Anthony Joshua takes on Jermaine Franklin live and exclusive on DAZN around the world. We cannot wait for the return. It has been nearly ten years since Anthony Joshua turned professional, seven years since he last performed at The O2 Arena. We’re just a couple of hundred of tickets away from a complete sell-out as we look forward to a great night of boxing, a great undercard and a big Heavyweight night for Anthony Joshua back at The O2. Of course this time around on DAZN. We’re delighted to welcome Joe Markowski and the team, our global broadcast partner, as the growth continues in the US and in the UK. It is an unrivalled schedule and value for money for the customer. As always, the action is available on the iPhone, on the tablet, through the smart TV, but now of course via SKY channel 429, via Virgin and also in the pubs. It is what you have been asking for for so long as this platform continues to grow globally. It is a major night for DAZN this Saturday with the first fight of Anthony Joshua’s new contract.”
“It’s big, it’s massive. It’s a big fight for me, for sure. I respect my opponent fully and respect everything he’s been through and we’re here to rock and roll. I respect my supporters as well so I have put in the work, I respect my coach as well so I want to make sure I get the job done in good finish. I like the fact you always dangle carrots in front of me, telling me if I do this, this is here and that’s there always leading onto big things. I dream big and I want bigger and better things in my life. As I stated in the last press conference, I want to secure the bag and move on in my life.
“The goal is not to make it back to the corner, the goal is to take him out. I respect Derrick fully and I trust everything he’s been saying. When you’re a student of the game, there are certain times you can be on the same level as people you speak to about boxing but when I speak to Derrick and ask him certain questions, the knowledge he spits is phenomenal. The knowledge he gives me is really, really good. We’re at a stage now where the physical side of the fight is done. Fight week you are still training because it’s part of our nature, but the physical work is done and it’s all about the knowledge. You just have to train your mind and honestly Derrick is up there with one of the best people I’ve spoke to about boxing. I appreciate his time, I appreciate the fact he took me on and I am looking forward to showing him he hasn’t wasted his time by taking on this project.
“When you strip boxing back, it is very basic. A lot of it is down to self belief number one and just knowledge. You gain knowledge and apply it along the way. You fight with desire and then you can add some skills along the way. I was based in the Olympic gym in Sheffield for years. Obviously it’s a big set up because you’ve got hundreds of fighters and international fighters coming in. In the world class boxing gym in Texas, there’s a few of us pros just putting in the ground work. That is probably what you saw was difference is that I am not around hundreds of fighters in the gym. It is just three or four of us putting in the work. But when you disconnect from everything, which is hard to do in this day and because we’re so connect, but I took myself away to disconnect myself and all the questions I have been asking myself, the answers came. It was quiet time and it has been a good camp. It is good to be back in the UK but everyone knows the UK is a little dead so I can’t wait to get back to Texas and get back to putting in the work.
“It is the worst time. The more he talks, the bigger grave he digs for himself but it is what it is. I could say a lot of things about him but I respect my opponent. It is not for me to talk, it is for you to do all the talking and for me to do my job on Saturday. That is really honestly what I am focused on from round one to round 12. I am prepared for a 12-rounder but I do believe in my ability, my counter-punching and all that type of stuff to definitely put a dent in Jermaine. But I am not here to talk, I am here to do what I have to do because I really want to win.
“Yeah, that is personal and to show my coach that I respect the time he has put in with me. In terms of entertaining, we don’t play boxing, but at the same time people from years back and the empires, they love people coming together and fighting. There will be entertainment regardless. I think we will see blood and I just really look forward to getting in there again. I’m so happy I’m fighting again because when you look at the champions now, it is just a shambles when you are trying to compete with mandatories and negotiations, honestly I can’t believe no fights have been made at championship level. I am so happy I can get back to work, get on with my job and I am looking forward to this assignment. I can’t wait honestly. I am really looking forward to it.”
“I will come out, do this, do that. As he said, it is by any means necessary. We are just here to do a job. I respect my opponent and may the best man win. One thing he said is he started eating right for this camp, he’s dealing with someone who has been living right from the get go. I have been putting in work from the day I started this business. It’s going to be a good fight because he’s up against a real one, for sure.”
Derrick James:
“First of all I’m happy to be here, and I think that I’ve learnt a lot about Anthony from his dedication and the fact that he is always a student and always wants more. This Saturday we will show everything that we have been working on. I think that Jermaine Franklin is a very tough fighter. I really don’t care how we get the win; I just care that we get it. If it gets to a point where I can see it, then let’s go get it. Initially he’s just going in there and it’s all about winning the fight. Regardless of how he wins, I don’t care about that. I just care that he comes out victorious. If I see the knockout then let’s go take him. I’m excited to be here. This is my first fight as a Heavyweight trainer. We’re coming over to the UK and everyone has been very receptive and very nice. It’s all about the focus and all about how much he’s dedicated and sacrificed to be here. He sacrificed the comfort of the UK to come to Dallas. Even in the winter time it is hot. You sacrifice. That’s what it Is all about. Everybody is working hard. Everybody is pushing hard. It is about what you’re willing to give up to be successful, because everybody is working hard, but not everybody is willing to give up something. AJ was willing to sacrifice something and you’re going to see how that pays off on Saturday.”
“First off, I want to say it is an honour to be back in the UK. I appreciate the opportunity. In the beginning I’ve just been on a little health journey. I changed my eating habits and changed stuff that I was consuming. My body weight just started falling off. We had more time to prepare for this fight so I’m more ready and I’m more in shape. I’m just ready to let the fireworks go. I’m just a huge fan of the sport. I watch a lot of boxing. I watched AJ fights way before we even had this opportunity or thought it was possible. I’m just a huge fan of the sport. My confidence is always great. I think you’re in the wrong business if you don’t truly believe in yourself – this is not the right game for you. You always have to have the extreme upmost confidence in yourself and you just have to put your faith in the work that’s gone on behind it. I’m going to get the win by any means possible. But if I can put him on his ass then that’s what I’m going to try to do. Anything is possible. I come from a place with not a lot of possibilities, and I made it this far so anything is possible. My passion for the sport, my team and my family; that’s all the motivation I need. I believe my hands get raised at the end of the fight.”
Jesse Addison:
“I come here with even more confidence. We went to training camp in Florida, we had a very nice training camp. I got a chance to do things with him that I wanted to do, the way that I knew was best for Jermaine. We put a lot of assignments out in front of him and he passed every assignment, so now we’re just looking to past the big test this Saturday. Hard work is the key to victory on Saturday. He has worked very hard, he has worked extremely hard. Like I say, we went to Florida, we dug down real deep. We trained in the morning, we trained in the evening. We trained at night. We didn’t rest. We just trained trained trained. Jermaine is ready, he’s ready for this fight. This is something that I prepared him for. I told him that one day he would be up against Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, and so now that plan is becoming a reality. At any given time a fighter gets in the ring, he’s there for the taking. I respect everything Anthony Joshua has accomplished as a fighter, he’s a great fighter. I don’t feel like that if he loses this fight his career is over. You know, that’s just this new era of boxing. Back when Muhammad Ali and George Foreman and Joe Frazier, them guys were losing fights on the regular, but they would come right back and they would fight for a world Championship, and I think that’s where we’re going back to now because we’ve got so many gifted Heavyweights out there. When Jermaine gets in there with him this Saturday night he will suffer a loss. I see my man winning. I see my man winning the fight. If we win by knockout, we’ll win the fight. If we go to a decision, he’ll win the fight. As far as Anthony Joshua being a big man, we don’t worry about that. Jermaine has been fighting big men his whole career. Going through the amateurs we were fighting guys who were 6’6″ plus regularly. He was the shortest man in the division. We’re well prepared for this.”
Dmirty Salita:
“We’re very grateful for the opportunity and always love being in England for big fights. I’m very grateful and honoured. As Muhammad Ali used to say, ‘the will has to be bigger than the skill’. And in this fight, Jermaine’s skill is going to be bigger than Anthony Joshua’s skill. Anthony Joshua is a great fighter and someone that I look up to and admired for many many years, and still admire. He is a great fighter. The show is appropriately called New Dawn and new day, because a new day is coming for Jermaine Franlkin. I’ve seen him train in Florida several weeks ago. He looks in incredible shape. His trainer for many many years Jesse is going to be in his corner and they had a great camp. We’re looking forward to a big upset. I believe that as fighters we have four things that drive us; so Anthony Joshua is a World Champion, made tremendous pay days, is a celebrity, great fighter, he’s accomplished everything, in the ring when you’re faced with a feeling of being uncomfortable you think about all of these forces that drive you, and Anthony Joshua has accomplished all of these things. Jermaine Franklin is a hungry fighter who has the skills and the potential to accomplish this and every day of his training camp and of his life he’s been dreaming of this moment. I believe that Anthony at this stage of his career has to think about it, has to have his trainer motivate him and has to have a sports psychologist. Jermaine on the other hand is internally motivated from the time he gets up until the time he goes to sleep. His dreams are of winning this fight and I believe when Jermaine is going to make Joshua uncomfortable those are our keys to victory.”
Joseph Markowski:
“Thank you Eddie and thank you to all of the media for being here today. As you say it is a huge night for us and part of a huge schedule this Spring in the UK and around the world. Several homecomings, Canelo’s homecoming on May 6th, Katie Taylor’s homecoming in Ireland on May 20th and of course AJ’s homecoming at The O2 in London this weekend. Having worked with AJ for several years now around the world we are delighted and very proud to be the exclusive broadcaster in the UK for AJ’s career and for this fight this Saturday night. You’ve talked about our increased distribution and we’re extremely excited about making this content available via DAZN to anyone on any screen. We’re extremely excited about what Saturday night brings and what it means for AJ’s career, what it means for our business and what it means for our partnership with Matchroom. We’re looking forward to Saturday night. We’re going to keep on investing in the best boxing schedule we can deliver but this weekend is all about AJ, it is all about delivering value to our customers, the fight is available in the UK within your subscription. We’re tremendously excited and very proud and looking forward to a big night on Saturday night.”
JOSHUA VS. FRANKLIN UNDERCARD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fabio Wardley:
“I’m really buzzing to get back to The O2. It has turned into my home away from home. I’ve boxed there I don’t know how many times now, five or six. I’ve said loads of times, there’s nothing that really beats at packed out O2 Arena. That atmosphere, that buzz, is something I live for and I thrive off. When I’m in the thick of it in a fight and the crown is going nuts, it is one of those special moments that you don’t get in any other arena. Saturday night is going to be the same. There’s one thing that I do and that’s entertain the fans, however it comes, maybe to the concern of my team and stuff. I get myself in some sticky situations but I live for those moments, that buzz and that thrill of the fight. Just really getting stuck in is everything that I’m about. It has been a crazy journey starting at white collar at a show that has maybe 200 people in to now at The O2 that’s got 17,000 people in. It has been a wild ride but I’m thankful for every day and I’m thankful for the opportunity. I’ve boxed as chief support on some big cards in the past but nothing beats an AJ card and nothing beats a packed out O2 Arena. Those two things are going to bring out the best in me. It is going to be a great performance again on Saturday.”
Michael Polite-Coffie:
“This is a fight that I was actually talking about a lot before the call even came. I guess it just manifested itself. To me, the only thing I’m seeing is the W. I know it is going to be a good fight. I expect it to be action packed and difficult but I’m ready to weather the storm.”
Galal Yafai:
“I’m not going to lie, as you probably already know, I wasn’t looking forward to going over to San Antonio. I like fighting in the UK. I don’t get to fight here often. I fought at The O2 on my debut, hopefully it’s a same kind of night. They’re all tough fights, as you saw in my last fight. I got a bit of stick in that fight. I had my issues but I get to prove those people wrong who don’t think that I’m that good anymore. We’ll see on Saturday night and the foreseeable future. The criticism doesn’t bother me. I’m not going to lie, I’d rather have people criticise me than people up my ass. I’ve had that for the last year or two after the Olympics. We’ll see what happens in the future and we’ll see how good I can be.”
Austin Williams:
“First I want to give all of the thanks and glory to god because I feel like he always moves things around for me in an amazing way. I was just supposed to be on this show doing commentary and the hard work that I consistently put in had me ready to fight, and to fight an actually good opponent. That’s what I always want to do, that’s what I aim for. I aim to fight guys who I know are going to come with their A game, especially when fighting me because they feel like they can take a lot from me. I’ve learnt to just use that as fuel. I’ve learnt to use that as my advantage because I can never slip-up, I can never take a day off, I can never get comfortable. I’m not only thankful for Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, I’m thankful for fighters like River who are willing to take fights on short notice against somebody like me. He has a lot to gain, I have a lot to lose. I need him just as much as he needs me. I definitely love experiences like this because River has a lot of advantages that people don’t mention. I’m coming to his hometown. I’m coming somewhere where he’s familiar. I’m coming here as an American and I have to win to decisively, I have to put on the best performance.”
River Wilson-Bent:
“It’s a brilliant opportunity. I’m very grateful to Eddie and Matchroom. I boxed three weeks ago on Saturday. I was chilling at home on Sunday, got the phone call asking if I wanted to box at The O2 on the AJ undercard against Ammo Williams, and obviously I was in. I’m always ready, I’m always fit to be in these fights. It’s a great opportunity.”
Campbell Hatton:
“It’s basically an instant turnaround which is exactly what we want. I think we’re showing those improvements every time, we’re on the eight rounders and it is going to bring the best out of me. I think I’ll be much better over long fights because all my mistakes happen when I rush things. Having the extra few rounds is just going to benefit me. I think we’re going to see the best performance yet this weekend. The way that I was boxing early on it was clear that I was just too eager to please and I was just trying to go 100mph with everything. Last time out I showed that I am thinking about going up and down the gears. It’s going to be the same again this weekend. I’ll look to show a calculated performance.”
Louis Fielding:
“I just want to thank Eddie and everyone at Matchroom for the opportunity. It’s a massive stage to be on so I’m really privileged to be a part of it, and obviously fighting the likes of Campbell Hatton, we know who he is because of his dad, it’s a big name. I’m happy to be here. I’ve been training hard and it is a massive opportunity for me to kickstart my career on and get a good win under my belt. If there’s no risk there’s no reward. Campbell is a good kid and he’s got good people around him, but me beating Campbell Hatton propels me onto bigger things.”
John Hedges:
“Obviously this is my fourth fight at The O2 now and it’s only my eighth fight so I’ve been very privileged to have these opportunities. Thanks to Eddie Hearn and the Matchroom banner. I want to start stepping it up now. I’ve got a good opponent with a decent record in Daniel Bocianski. I’m looking to do the job in style. I’ve had a great camp and I’m ready to go now. I’m putting the weight on and it’s gradually. It’s obviously my maturity, I’m 20 years of age and I’m on my eighth fight so I’m doing something right. It’s just about taking the right fights at the right time and progressing nicely. We’re on the eight-rounders and then we’ll get our eyes on some titles.”
Jordan Flynn:
“First of all I just want to say a big thank you for the opportunity to Eddie, my management 258. It’s a great opportunity on the big stage. I feel like I deserve to be here, this is where I should be. It’s a good opponent. It’s definitely a step up, and it’s a step up that I’m ready for. I feel like the better opponent I face, the better I’m going to fight, and you’re going to see that on Saturday night.”
Kane Baker:
“I’m blessed to be here, I really am. It’s a massive privilege. Something I thought that I would never get to do is fight on an AJ undercard, so I’m ticking off some boxes. Massive thank you to Eddie and everyone at Matchroom. I’ll turn up on Saturday and I’ll be throwing leather all night, don’t worry about that.”
Juergen Uldedaj:
“Hello everybody. I’m happy to be here and i’m excited for this opportunity that has been given to me. It is a pleasure to be part of this big platform. I’m looking forward to Saturday night. It is always a pleasure to be around AJ and I’m excited for his comeback fight as well. I hope that Eddie will be impressed with my performance and send me a contract because I’m ready for the big fights.”
Ziyad Almaayouf:
“First, I just want to thank Prince Khalid and Skill Challenge Promotions, Matchroom and 258 for this amazing opportunity. The shoulders that you see on me right now carry the weight of so many, and the lightest of them is mine. I’m here to represent, and this is what I love to do. What happened in my last fight, maybe is not what many wanted, but it was what was written. I’m always ready to adapt to what is written. Nothing is going to change this fight. It is a new opportunity. I am the first Saudi to fight at The O2. The first Arab to fight at The O2. To many these are just small milestones but I didn’t even think I’d be the first to fight at my own local arena back home. I’m here now and I can’t stop smiling. I hardly believed it when Eddie Hearn said my name just then. I’m here for a good show. Every fight for me, I like to put the pressure on myself. The pressure is something that I welcome because it is such heavy pressure during camp when you are putting that work in. On fight night, when I am representing that big pressure of my country Saudi Arabia, that huge pressure of the Arab world, that pressure turns into a parachute and it turns into my cape. I put that cape on on fight night and this is what I use to fly. There is nothing more than I like to do than to put on a show and possibly even deliver that knockout blow.”
Peter Kadiru:
“It was a long camp, a hard camp. I’m really grateful for this opportunity here. I want to thank 258, I want to thank Matchroom Boxing and my brother Derek Chisora. I’m looking forward to the fight and I’m ready to go. It was my first time being in a camp outside of Germany. It was a whole new experience for me and I learnt a lot in Dallas. I’m ready to show this on Saturday.”
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