Jermaine Franklin lost to Dillian Whyte in what was regarded by many as an extremely close contest which could have swung either way.
This weekend held plenty of ‘first’ for the ‘989 Assassin.’ It was the first time he fought outside of the US, the first time he went 12 rounds, and the first loss on his record – although not according to him.
Franklin was a somewhat unknown quality when he was announced as Whyte’s ‘comeback’ opponent.
Never beaten, but with no real world level opposition. He proved himself to be more than capable, though, showing fast hands, heart, and good punch resistance throughout the laboured contest.
It wasn’t the return to the ring that Whyte would have wanted – outside of the win, that is. ‘The Bodysnatcher’ didn’t do too much to impress up until a huge left hook in the twelfth, and later said that it was hard due to working with new trainer, Buddy McGirt, for only six weeks.
Following the fight, the previously undefeated American took to Twitter, not happy with the majority decision result in favour of the home fighter.
I was fucking Robbed!!!!!!!! Total bullshit decision.
— Jermaine Franklin Jr (Official Pg) (@JermaineFrankl6) November 26, 2022
There’s no doubt that two of the three scorecards in Whyte’s favour (116-112) didn’t paint the correct picture of the fight in terms of competitiveness, however many fans and pundits called it close enough that they wouldn’t be surprised should it go either way.
Franklin had previously been promised a fight with Anthony Joshua in the new year should he come out victorious. Promoter Eddie Hearn had made it clear that it would be a seven-figure pay day – which will be a hard pill for the American to swallow given how he feels the fight with Whyte played out.
It’s Whyte who now moves forward to that ‘AJ’ fight, although many fans feel that the bout with Franklin was close enough to deserve a rematch.