Matchroom Promoter, Eddie Hearn, has made no secret of his high expectations ahead of Anthony Joshua’s comeback fight against Jermaine Franklin.
‘AJ’ has had a rough couple of years in the ring, losing his unified heavyweight title and failing to reclaim it in back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, raising the question of whether Joshua can ever make his way back to the top of the division.
Now, the rebuild is well and underway, as the 33-year-old fights in his first non-world-title fight for almost seven years, with a third trainer operating in his corner in as many fights.
The appointment of Derrick James has been well-received by fans, with hopes that Joshua can return to his old, aggressive style and his promoter, Hearn, told DAZN Boxing that he expects to see that approach next weekend.
“This isn’t [me saying] ‘I hope, I pray, he is such a good guy, he has worked so hard, I hope he gets what he deserves’.
F***ing go out there and tear him to pieces. Be the ‘AJ’ that we know. I said to him in Dallas, ‘you do realise that when you let your hands go, you put the fear of Christ into the man in the other corner’. So be that guy, go out there and dominate. That is what I expect.”
The fight is undoubtedly a must-win for Joshua, with many pundits suggesting a loss will see the former champion retire.
The heavyweight duo will take centre stage on April 1st, with the event being streamed on DAZN at no extra cost to the standard monthly subscription and being supported by the likes of Felix Cash, Fabio Wardley, Austin Williams and Campbell Hatton on the undercard.