Former two-time heavyweight world champion and Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua has thoroughly beaten Jermaine Franklin to get his stuttering career back on track, before calling out WBC champion Tyson Fury for an all-British mega bout.
On the back of back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua was patient and composed in a dominant unanimous decision victory (118-111, 117-111 x2). He showed improved work to the body and good footwork despite weighing in at a career-high 18st 3lbs (116 kg) on Friday.
“I don’t really worry about my weight,” he said after the fight.
But there was an ugly scuffle after the final bell as the fighters had to be separated by the referee and their trainers.
Joshua did eventually return to shake the hand of his rival Franklin and his trainer.
Joshua said: “Inside this squared circle, it’s a different type of energy in here, so I apologise for anyone watching and seeing that type of stuff. We’re sportsmen. But I respect Jermaine.”
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While he failed to get the knockout he had hoped for, he was happy with the victory, saying: “It’s important to get the win.
“Jermaine’s got a good duck and dive style. There was opportunities there but he knew how to tuck up. Respect to him… I should have knocked him out but what can I say now? It’s done, onto the next.”
As for who is next, Dillian Whyte was ringside for the clash, but Joshua called out WBC champion Fury for a bout that has been long-hoped-for but perhaps carries less appeal now given Joshua’s middling form.
He said: “I try to provide for the fans. I know what the fans want. Who do the fans want?”
The crowd cheered ‘Fury’ loudly in reply.
“The ball’s in his court. I would 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world… So wherever you are, if you’re listening, you know my management, you know my promoter.”
He added: “Hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger.”