In recent months, the media has been picking different names. Among the candidates for a rival for Joshua were Otto Wallin (24-1, 14 KOs), Demsey McKean (22-0, 14 KOs) and Dillian Whyte (29-3, 19 KOs). But in the end, the choice fell on Franklin, who has so far won 21 of his 22 fights, including 14 by knockout. He only lost to Whyt, whom Joshua defeated in 2015.
– On April 1, everyone will see an even better version of me. I will shock the world and then I will meet Tyson Fury. “Physically and mentally, I’m ready to come back,” Joshua replies, who will go into this fight with a new trainer. Derrick James will replace Robert Garcia in the corner.
The fight will take place on April 1 in London. Joshua will be the favourite.
Joshua wants to bounce back
It may have seemed that Anthony Joshua would dominate the heavyweight division for many years, but the last few months have brutally verified him. And although he is still among the world leaders, he has three defeats on his account. First things first.
The Briton made a name for himself when he won the London Olympics (2012). In the professional ring, he also quickly began to rule and was not afraid of demanding challenges. He became the champion in the royal division faster than expected. He did it in his 16th fight, when he knocked out Kevin Johnson in 2015. But Joshua’s greatest success was defeating Wladimir Klitschko, who (along with his brother Vitaly) ruled the heavyweight division for more than a decade.
Only today, in retrospect, can it be assumed that in 2017 Klitschko was already on the other side of the river. The Joshua myth was first broken by Andy Ruiz Junior in 2019, although the Briton won in a rematch. In the last two clashes, Oleksander Usyk turned out to be better than Joshua. And it is the Ukrainian and Tyson Fury who are considered the best heavyweight boxers. Joshua, Ruiz, Deontay Wilder or Joe Joyce are the players mentioned later. Joshua must now get back on the winning track with Jermaine Franklin set to be the first hurdle.
Source: Sport.PL
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
