The undercard for Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin has began to take shape, with Matchroom today announcing two fights that will feature on the bill on April 1st at the 02 Arena.
Craig Richards previously cancelled bout with Ricards Bolotniks has been added, as has Felix Cash’s challenge for the European middleweight title against Matteo Signani.
Two fights added to the #JoshuaFranklin undercard:
🔘 #SignaniCash
🔘 #RichardsBolotniksLet's go @FelixCashboxer & @craiglrichards 😤@DAZNBoxing | April 1 pic.twitter.com/YPM5Dc8QdR
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 9, 2023
Boltotniks is a familiar name to British fight fans, after giving a good account of himself in defeat against Joshua Buatsi in 2021.
After being edged out Buatsi himself in their war last May, Richards can ill afford to take his eye off the formidable Latvian as he looks to put himself back in the world title frame at light heavyweight.
Hard punching 160lber Cash will look to add Signani’s belt to his ever growing collection and, perhaps more importantly, set up a huge cross Atlantic clash with brash American Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams.
A meeting with Williams was expected to be next the former British champion, after the two went back and forth ringside after Cash’s win over Celso Neves in Leeds in December.
However, the Brit decided he wanted the opportunity to become European champion before pushing onto world level – a jump that a win over Williams would certainly bring.
As always though, all eyes will be on Anthony Joshua that night, as many feel defeat to Franklin would spell the end for the former unified world champion.
The American gave a good account of himself against Dillian Whyte last November, and will come to London with all the confidence in the world of bringing Joshua’s aspirations of a becoming a three time world champion to an abrupt end.