Jermaine Franklin has been given the opportunity of a lifetime as he prepares to face two-time heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua on April 1.
Franklin made himself known to UK fans in November last year when he was beaten by Dillian Whyte – a result which the American claimed to be a robbery. Regardless, his performance was good enough to land him this fight with ‘AJ.’
Coming off of the back of two losses and under a new trainer, this is essentially a must-win fight for Joshua if he is to go on to mix it at the top of the division.
Alongside his promoter, Eddie Hearn, he has promised fans a big year and has made it clear that his goal is to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.
Despite the Brit being focused and determined to silence his doubters, Franklin believes that his ‘heart’ will be the determining factor in the fight.
“So many people talking trash about me and my skills. But I see no one is questioning my heart. That is what wins fights. April 1st I will show you”
“So many people talking trash about me and my skills. But I see no one is questioning my heart. That is what wins fights. April 1st I will show you” #heart#peoplechamp#championpic.twitter.com/KLxgHDJo2Z
— Jermaine Franklin Jr (Official Pg) (@JermaineFrankl6) February 7, 2023
If Franklin is to get the win, it wouldn’t be the first time that Joshua had lost to a massive underdog. He was victim to one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport as he was trumped by Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019.
Franklin will take on the much-fancied Brit on April 1st at the O2 Arena in London, with the fight being available to watch on DAZN. The fight will not be a pay-per-view – the first time in almost a decade for Joshua – but subscribers have recently taken issue with a price increase from the platform.