It is now official that Anthony Joshua will make his ring comeback against Jermaine Franklin, as the two heavyweights reached an agreement on the fight’s terms, which will take place in London on April 1.
Anthony Joshua & Jermaine Franklin have reportedly agreed terms to fight on April 1st in London. I like the fight. Franklin is no walkover. #fightclub247 #boxing #anthonyjoshua #joshuafranklin #fighter #champion #forthefans pic.twitter.com/Xe8nRhpUMF
— Fight Club 247 (@fightclub247) February 3, 2023
Despite losing twice in a row to Oleksandr Usyk, the best Ukrainian boxer in history, Joshua is certain that he can return to the ring and restore his former glory. The name of AJ’s next opponent has been revealed in a public announcement.
Eddie Hearn, who is AJ’s promoter, has remarked in the past that Joshua will need to select a bout in which he can have confidence that he will win because Joshua’s career depends on that fight. Therefore, the British promoter thinks that a fight between Joshua and Jermaine Franklin is the safest option right now.
Joshua made a deal with Franklin to fight in this interim bout before moving on to a battle with someone of more prominence. Franklin too is coming off a loss in his most recent fight, which was against Dillian Whyte.
“This is the most excited I’ve been on Anthony Joshua’s journey so far because I think it’s exciting. You go into that fight in April – you know that with defeat, it’s all over, really. It would be a third back-to-back defeat. And yet a great performance and a showreel knockout get everyone saying, ‘We’re back, we’re back baby.” Eddie said.
It's been agreed then… April 1st – London – ANTHONY JOSHUA vs JERMAINE FRANKLIN #JoshuaFranklin #AJFranklin #boxing pic.twitter.com/3pQFHX5SyA
— Steven Stanley (@stanley93_) February 3, 2023
Joshua, who now holds a record of 24-3-0, made his debut on the professional boxing circuit in 2013. After that, he was unbeaten for the first six years of his career before suffering his first loss to Andy Ruiz. Jermaine, meanwhile, is 21-1-0 since turning pro in 2015 and hasn’t tasted defeat until last November.
AJ will move on to bigger fights, like against Tyson Fury, only once wins the next bout.
