With just over two weeks to go until Anthony Joshua’s comeback bout against Jermaine Franklin, promoter Eddie Hearn admitted he is “nervous” about his prized heavyweight’s return to the ring.
Joshua will take on former Dillian Whyte opponent Franklin at the 02 Arena on April 1st, with victory seen as paramount if he is to have any aspirations of becoming a three time heavyweight world champion.
And Hearn revealed to iFL TV that he has noticed physical improvements in Franklin that have unsettled him somewhat ahead of the make or break fight.
“I’m nervous, because you look at Jermaine Franklin – he looks like a new man! He’s done about 30lbs, he’s absolutely flying in camp and that’s what you get, they step up.”
“‘AJ’ must win this fight, and I believe he wins this fight. But I don’t think it’s going to be easy. All the pressure is on him in this fight, and that is nerve-racking.”
The fight will be Joshua’s first since defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in their hotly anticipated rematch in Saudi Arabia last August.
Franklin gave a good account of himself in defeat to Dillian Whyte last November, however Joshua still goes into the contest as wide betting favourite, and will be looking to make a statement against the ‘989 Assassin.’
Many in the sport are excited about seeing how Joshua looks under new trainer Derrick James, having relocated to Dallas to work with one of the most revered coaches in boxing.
James currently works with the likes of Jermell Charlo and Errol Spence Jr, and there is a hope that he and Joshua could be a match made in heaven.