Joshua Decisions Franklin

Saturday night encounter at London's 02 Arena, between former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin, ended in a twelve round decision for the Briton. It was a contrast to the explosive early rounds expected blitz predicted by boxing fans and betting sites across Britain. 

The scorecard of the three judges at the 02 Arena in London ,read 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 in favour of the 33 year-old Nigerian born British former champion.

Whereas the win is Joshua's 25th, it ended as Franklin's second consecutive defeat having lost his November fight to another Briton, Dillian Whyte.

In the main, Joshua controlled the fight over the 12-round duration except round 11 which he lost. He did the most damage to Franklin with his uppercuts but the American refused to fall as he stoically took every shot. 

However, tempers went North at the end of the 12th round as both fighters squared up to each other, prompting the police, alongside the different corners, to quickly step into the ring to quel a possible after-fight bust-up. 

The victory is Joshua's first win in more than two years, having consecutively lost two fights to his skilful Ukrainian conqueror, Oleksandr Usyk. 

“It was important to win. Jermaine has a good duck-and-dive style, somebody else from Britain will probably knock him out,” Joshua said.

“I respect him, he did well. I should have knocked him out but it is done. On to the next. He is here to prove himself, not roll over. I wish I could have knocked him out," he added.