Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua got back to winning ways on Saturday night at the 02 Arena in London when he claimed a unanimous decision win over American Jermaine Franklin.
This online news platform understands that the two-time champion beat Franklin unanimously with the judges’ scorecards reading 118-111, 117-111, and 117-111.
The first round began with Joshua in the ascendency in a chess match-style opening to affairs as he looked to judge the distance and work his leading left jab. After exchanging heated words in centre ring between the rounds, Joshua started to open up slightly in the second stanza with the raucous crowd delighted, but blood came trickling from the nose of the Briton after a series of neat jabs from Franklin.
The pair started to trade blows through the third period with Joshua struggling to push through the gears, and Franklin’s slick jab was proving a real weapon as the fight reached a cagey stage going into the fifth round.
A good right hand started the round but Joshua continued to struggle to make a significant breakthrough with Franklin certainly well in the fight.
Franklin continued to press forward himself at the midway point with Joshua finding himself in a real test against a slick opponent, as the pair finally exchanged in a small flurry at the end of the sixth.
It was a frustrating night so far for Joshua, with Franklin sticking his tongue out if the home favourite let his hands go.
A brief burst from Joshua briefly captured the eye in the eighth, but it remained a tough watch with both fighters reluctant to over-commit. Franklin landed a crunching right hand towards the end of the ninth which drew a gasp from the crowd, but the clash continued to fail to capture the imagination.
See video below;
📝 118-111, 117-111, 117-111
Back to winning ways for @anthonyjoshua – he beats Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision in London 👊 #JoshuaFranklin pic.twitter.com/5VEQJOlzwi
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 1, 2023
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
