Jermaine Franklin has responded to reports that he has taken legal action against promoter Dmitry Salita – and has remained tight lipped.
Franklin takes on Anthony Joshua at the 02 Arena this weekend, in what is by far and away the biggest fight of his professional career to date.
The litigation was brought up to ‘The 989 Assassin’ in an interview with Boxing Social, however he decided against going into detail.
‘I’ve got no comment on the Salita situation, I’m just focused on boxing.”
Franklin is reported to be suing Salita promotions over the stake of earnings the promotional outfit are entitled to ‘when they’re not acting as a promoter, co- promoter or involved in a purse bid.’
The timing is hardly ideal for the American, with the fight against Joshua on Saturday night far greater in size than any event he’s been involved in thus far. When asked by Boxing Social about the story, Salita called it ‘a frivolous claim.’
“My legal team is going to shed truth and light on this, and go after those responsible for wasting the court’s time.”
Franklin is not an unfamiliar name on British shores, after taking on former Joshua foe Dillian Whyte last November at the OVO Arena.
He gave a good account of himself that night, and some observers thought he had actually done enough to win the fight despite Whyte getting the nod from the ringside judges.
There is a perception that Franklin is getting ‘AJ’ at the perfect time, coming off back to back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, and many calling his mental state into question following his post fight antics after his second meeting with the Ukrainian.
Though Joshua is a wide betting favourite with the bookmakers, Franklin will be plenty confident that he can spoil the party in London this weekend and derail plans for a mega fight later in the year for the Brit, potentially against Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder.