Anthony Joshua defeated Jermaine Franklin on his first return to the ring since back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua himself was disappointed he couldn’t get the knockout, allowing Franklin to hear the final bell. There was no doubt who won the fight with official scores of 118-111, 117-111, 117-111.
British rival Dillian Whyte, who has been tipped to fight Joshua next, wasn’t impressed with the performance and says ‘the aggression has gone’ from the former heavyweight champion.
Here’s what some of the boxing world made of Joshua’s comeback.
Anthony Joshua
Momentum. pic.twitter.com/73Rwm0i04z
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) April 1, 2023
Dillian Whyte
Dillian Whyte on Anthony Joshua UD Jermaine Franklin: "I didn't think he looked particularly good tonight. He seemed a bit apprehensive. The right hand's still there and the boxing skills are still there, but the aggression is not there."
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) April 1, 2023
Jarrell Miller
Shout out to Franklin homie was fighting all of Britain
SAID IT SINCE DAY AJ BEEN A BI$&@@DAZNBoxing Love y’all but step y’all game up
— BIGBABYMILLER (@BIGBABYMILLER) April 1, 2023
Carl Frampton
He looked to be punching at the target rather than through it. 2 weeks off, then straight back to Texas with Derek James. Good win.
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) April 1, 2023
Teddy Atlas
No change in Joshua with new trainer, he’s a typical English style fighter, very picturesque, but you can hit him standing talk. #JoshuaFranklin
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) April 1, 2023
Otto Wallin
Joshua is not the same guy anymore. His head is gone and the stuff after the fight shows it even more. He’s feeling too much pressure
— Otto Wallin (@OttoWallin) April 1, 2023
Dan Rafael
Rd 12: Joshua 10-9. Solid performance from AJ but not great but more than enough to win. 9-3 (117-111) for AJ. #boxing #JoshuaFranklin
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) April 1, 2023
Enzo Maccarinelli
117-111 about right it was competitive but Aj pulled away 2nd half but he looked gun shy his punches at times were coming back faster than they were going out has to rid that mentality
— Enzo Maccarinelli ????????? (@theRealEnzoMac) April 1, 2023
