Should Anthony Joshua face his old rival, Dillian Whyte, next, the man who’s just fought them both is certain on who will win.
Franklin has travelled to London twice now in his career, falling short first against Whyte via majority decision – one which he branded a ‘robbery’ – and the second time unanimously to Anthony Joshua.
The heavyweight from Michigan has tested both men in different ways, and certainly made a good account of himself on each of his visits.
With the Joshua bout now in the rearview mirror, he has the chance to reflect on both contests and who might win should the pair face off for the second time in their careers.
Franklin told IFL TV that it wouldn’t be hard for ‘AJ’ to come out on top.
“I think Joshua will beat Whyte. I don’t think would be no hard fight for Joshua.
It was a little harder for Joshua to punch me cause it’s harder for bigger guys to punch down than it is for shorter guys to punch up, but you know when you’re taller some of those shots are easier to get off.
Yeah I think beats Dillian.”
The fight could well happen next. Both men are open to it, and the matchmaking at this stage in each of their campaigns probably makes most sense.
It would sell itself, too. Whyte beat ‘AJ’ in the amateur ranks, whilst the favour was returned in the pros back in 2015 when Joshua knocked Whyte out cold in the seventh round of their British Heavyweight Title fight.
The trash talk has already started, with Whyte branding Joshua’s performance against Franklin terrible and claiming that he was shell-shocked from previous defeats.