Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua returns to the ring this weekend looking to get back to winning ways following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Stepping into the opposite corner is America’s Jermaine Franklin who pushed Dillian Whyte all the way in his last fight and was perhaps unlucky to find himself on the wrong end of the judge’s scorecards.
Here’s everything you need to know about a hard-hitting night of boxing in the capital.
Where: O2 Arena, London
When: Saturday 1st April, 2023
How To Watch: DAZN. The undercard is set to begin at 6pm UK time with ring walks for the main fight expected at 10.30pm.
Tale Of The Tape:
Joshua
Place Of Birth: Watford, Hertfordshire
Age: 33
Alias: AJ
Record: 24-3 (22)
Height: 6’6’’
Reach: 82’’
Stance: Orthodox
Last Fight: Joshua was beaten by split decision in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Franklin
Place Of Birth: Saginaw, Michigan
Age: 29
Alias: 989 Assassin
Record: 21-1 (14)
Height: 6’2’’
Reach: 77’’
Stance: Orthodox
Last Fight: Franklin gave Dillian Whyte a gruelling contest at Wembley Arena in November but ultimately lost by majority decision.
Joshua: “I am looking forward to stepping back into the ring on April 1st at the O2 Arena London.”
“Mentally and physically I feel ready. I want to put on a show and impress my coach as he has high standards. Franklin has a good style and great attitude, which he has shown in recent fights.”
Franklin: “I’m ready to show the world why it’s time for me to take my place at the top of the Heavyweight division.
“Joshua had his time. It’s my time to shock the world! This fight isn’t going to the judge’s card. I will have win number 22 come April 1. That ain’t no April Fool’s joke.”
Full Fight Card:
Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin, heavyweight
Matteo Signani v Felix Cash, EBU European middleweight title
Fabio Wardley v Michael Polite Coffie, heavyweight
Austin Williams v River Wilson-Bent, middleweight
Campbell Hatton v Louis Fielding, lightweight
John Hedges v Daniel Bocianski, light heavyweight
Ziyad Almaayouf v TBA
Peter Kadiru v TBA
Juergen Uldedaj v TBA
Joshua: 1/12
Franklin: 6/1
Draw: 25/1
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
