Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin explained

Fight Name:New Dawn
Fight Date:1 April 2023
Location:The O2 Arena, Greenwich, London, UK
Fighter1: Anthony Joshua
Nickname1:"AJ"
Hometown1:Watford, Hertfordshire, UK
Record1:24–3 (22 KOs)
Height1:6 ft 6 in
Weight1:255 lb
Style1:Orthodox
Recognition1:WBA/The Ring
No. 3 Ranked Heavyweight
IBF/TBRB
No. 4 Ranked Heavyweight
WBC/WBO
No. 5 Ranked Heavyweight
Former 2 time unified heavyweight champion
Fighter2: Jermaine Franklin
Nickname2:"989 Assassin"
Hometown2:Saginaw, Michigan, US
Record2:21–1 (14 KOs)[1]
Height2:6 ft 2 in
Weight2:234 lb
Style2:Orthodox
Recognition2:WBC
No. 25 Ranked Heavyweight
Result:Joshua wins via 12–round unanimous decision (118–111, 117–111, 117–111)

Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin, billed as New Dawn was a heavyweight boxing match contested between former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin.[2] [3] [4] The bout was held at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London.[2] [3] [4]

Background

Following Joshua's back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, the latter in August of 2022 in Saudi Arabia, Tyson Fury called out Anthony Joshua for a fight in November or December of that same year. However, the fight failed to come to fruition, due to sponsorship issues. Franklin fought Dillian Whyte at Wembley Arena in London, England on November 26, 2022. Whyte won by majority decision, although the decision of that fight was controversial with many scoring the fight as a draw or for Franklin winning.

On 6 February 2023, it was officially announced that Joshua would be returning to the ring on 1 April at The O2 Arena against Franklin. The fight would mark the first fight as part of his exclusive five-year deal with sports streaming service DAZN.

In the first pre-fight press conference on 9 February, Joshua announced his new partnership with American trainer Derrick James, as well as being questioned by his promoter Eddie Hearn on his motivation for fighting. Joshua answered by repeatedly stating, "Money, money, money", before Hearn had finished asking the question, before further elaborating: “I like making money. Straight up. Like, this is a prize fighting sport."

The fight

Joshua won a comprehensive points victory with two judges scoring it 117–111 and third 118–111, giving him his first win in two years.[5]

Aftermath

After the fight Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said "There may be an opportunity to do the Tyson Fury fight next. If it is there, it'll be difficult for AJ not to take it. He may think he will never get it. The sensible thing is to have another fight with Derrick James to improve; Dillian Whyte is a great option.[6]

Fight card

Weight Classvs.MethodRoundTimeNotes
Main Card
HeavyweightAnthony Joshuadef.Jermaine FranklinUD12/12
HeavyweightFabio Wardleydef.Michael Polite CoffieTKO4/100:45
FlyweightGalal Yafaidef.Moisés CallerosTKO4/100:44
WelterweightCampbell Hattondef.Louis FieldingKO1/81:29
MiddleweightAustin Williamsdef.River Wilson-Bent8/10 1:01
Before The Bell Preliminary Card
Light heavyweightJohn Hedgesdef.Daniel BocianskiPTS8/8
Super featherweightZiyad Almaayoufdef.Georgi VelichkovPTS4/4
Super featherweightJordan Flynndef.Kane BakerPTS8/8
CruiserweightBenoit Huberdef.Juergen Uldedaj8/8
HeavyweightPeter Kadirudef.Alen Lauriolle1/43:00

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jermaine Franklin - News, Record & Stats, Next Fight & Tickets.
  2. News: Joshua to face Franklin in comeback fight. BBC Sport .
  3. News: Anthony Joshua hits comeback trail against Jermaine Franklin in April. P. A.. Media. 6 February 2023. The Guardian.
  4. Web site: Anthony Joshua announces Jermaine Franklin comeback fight for the O2 Arena on April 1. Sky Sports.
  5. Web site: Donald McRae . Anthony Joshua taken the distance but beats Jermaine Franklin on points . . 8 February 2024 . 1 April 2023.
  6. Web site: Kal Sajad . Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin: Briton returns to winning ways with unanimous points win . bbc.co.uk . BBC . 8 February 2024 . O2 Arena, London . 2 May 2023.