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Anthony Joshua will return to the ring tonight for the first time since losing back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk and his comeback clash will be live on talkSPORT.
Joshua will take on American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin in London as he searches for his first win since 2020.
Mark Robinson and Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing
Joshua looked in superb condition at Friday’s weigh-in
Mark Robinson and Ian Walton/Matchroom Boxing
Joshua will face Franklin on Saturday night
Mark Robinson and Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing
Joshua looks big but cut ahead of his return
‘AJ’ has lost three of his last five fights but he’ll be hoping to get back to his best and repair his reputation against Franklin.
‘989 Assassin’ is coming off the back of a controversial defeat to Dillian Whyte with the American claiming he was ‘robbed’ by the judges.
That fight was his first in the UK and for his second English bout, he is now set to take on the former two-time heavyweight world champion Joshua.
Should Joshua claim victory, an all-British mega-bout with Tyson Fury could be back on the cards.
Joshua weighed in at a career heaviest 255.4lbs (115.8kg) at Friday’s ceremony and was a major 21Ibs heavier than Franklin at 234.1lbs (106.2kg).
Joshua vs Franklin: Date and start time
This 12-round heavyweight bout will take place on Saturday, April 1.
It is being held at The O2 Arena in London, a venue that Joshua has a 7-0 record at.
The early bouts will get going from 4pm on the night with the main undercard starting at 7pm.
Ringwalks for Joshua v Franklin can then be expected at around 10:15pm.
Joshua vs Franklin: talkSPORT coverage
talkSPORT will have live coverage of the fight.
Our team includes former boxer Spencer Oliver, Adam Catterall, Gareth A Davies and match commentator Andy Clarke, who will deliver punch-by-punch commentary of every moment live from London.
Coverage of the undercard will begin at 7pm on talkSPORT 2 before switching over to talkSPORT for the main event at 9pm.
talkSPORT.com will be running a live blog as well.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
u can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Mark Robinson and Ian Walton/Matchroom Boxing
Joshua and Franklin are ready to face off
Joshua vs Franklin: TV channel and live stream
It will be shown live on DAZN with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Fans can sign up to DAZN for only £9.99 per month to watch the bout live. More details here.
It can be streamed at DAZN.com or via the DAZN app.
DAZN subscribers that have a HD-enabled Sky box can also register to watch the fight on DAZN 1 HD on channel 429 on Sky here.
Joshua vs Franklin: Undercard
Felix Cash’s European championship bout with Matteo Signani has been called off due to the former being ill.
Craig Richards vs Ricards Bolotniks has also been removed from the show after Richards suffered a hand injury.
Galal Yafai vs Moises Calleros has been added to the show as a replacement.
Also on the card, British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley will continue his progression against Michael Coffie.
And Ricky Hatton’s son Campbell faces Louis Fielding.
Subject to change
Main event: Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine FranklinFabio Wardley vs Michael Polite CoffieGalal Yafai vs Moises CallerosCampbell Hatton vs Louis FieldingAustin Williams vs River Wilson-BentJohn Hedges vs Daniel BocianskiJordan Flynn vs Kane BarkerJuergen Uldedaj vs Benoit HuberZiyad Almaayouf vs Georgi VelichkovPeter Kadiru vs Alen Lauriolle
See talkSPORT BET’s odds boosts and offers for Joshua v Franklin HERE
Instagram @AnthonyJoshua
Joshua has been training hard in the States as he plots his return to the top of the heavyweight division
Getty
Joshua was beaten by Usyk in Saudi Arabia last year
Showdown Saturday on talkSPORT
On Saturday 1 April, it’s all kicking off on talkSPORT.
12:30pm: Starting the day, Man City host Liverpool in a key Premier League game.
3pm: Crystal Palace vs Leicester sees the return of Roy Hodgson to the Selhurst Park dugout.
7pm: Build-up begins for the heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin as AJ starts his route back to the top.
What. A. Day.
You can tune in to talkSPORT via our free online streaming service at talkSPORT.com, DAB digital radio, download the talkSPORT app, or ask your smart speaker to play talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2. talkSPORT is also widely available across the UK on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Joshua vs Franklin: What has been said?
Joshua told talkSPORT: “Are we going to see something different?
“You can’t really say that, I’ll be lying to you if I was like, ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to come out southpaw…’
“It’s all bulls***, I’m going to go in there and do what the f*** I do and I’m going to get this win. That’s what I’m focusing on.
“Let me go in there and do my job, I’m going to do my best, I’m not going to make it over complicated, I’m a good fighter.
“I’ve got a f****** good jab, good defence, good right hand, good uppercut, and I’ll find the gaps needed to break my opponent down.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told talkSPORT: “I’m a promoter and I’m hyping the fight, but at the same time I am nervous.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Hearn believes the future is exciting for Joshua
Matchroom
Franklin will be no pushover for Joshua
“He’s coming off two defeats, albeit to Oleksandr Usyk, we saw emotionally the position he was in because he wanted to win so badly.
“He’s got a new trainer and he’s taken himself to Dallas with a very small team to work his absolute socks off.
“He’s lost two fights on the bounce, he’s no longer a world champion, of course his star has fallen.
“But he’s a man who in my opinion is an elite heavyweight, he’s a top three heavyweight, who wants to comeback and regain his heavyweight world title.
“He’s the purest individual, he’s the hardest worker, he makes more sacrifices and commitments than any athlete I’ve ever seen and he’s my mate, so I’m so pumped for his return.
“I want him to go in there and show people how good he is.
“I want him to believe in himself, I want him to enjoy life and I want him to appreciate what he’s achieved and I want him to go in there and make a statement.”
Joshua vs Franklin: Betting
Anthony Joshua to win – 1/12
Draw – 25/1
Jermaine Franklin to win – 7/1
See more odds for the fight here
Joshua v Franklin Betting Offer
talkSPORT BET: Bet £20 on Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin, Get £20 In Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
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Source: TalkSport | Read More
