From Karl Brun: Anthony Joshua insists he will not lose to Jermaine Franklin in his comeback fight on DAZN next Saturday night April 1st at the O2 Arena in London, England.
This is Joshua’s first fight under the tutelage of new trainer Derrick James and it could be his last. If AJ loses to Franklin, Derrick will likely be shown the door quietly and a new coach sought.
Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) laughs at people who see his career at stake because he doesn’t see it that way.
That said, Joshua won’t give up if he’s beaten by Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs), which should make his promoter Eddie Hearn happy as he openly admits he’s worried about this fight.
Franklin should be undefeated after being robbed in London last November while practicing 12 rounds of the Dillian Whyte shot.
From the looks of Franklin in that fight, it’s not hard to imagine him nagging Joshua and beating him as badly as Andy Ruiz Jr. and/or Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ Franklin Undercard:
- Matteo Signani vs. Felix Cash
- Craig Richards versus Ricard’s Bolotniks
- Fabio Wardley versus Michael Coffie
- Austin Williams vs. River Wilson Bent
- Campbell Hatton vs. Lous Fielding
- Jordan Flynn vs. Kane Baker
- John Hedges vs. Daniel Bocianski
“Here we have my next opponent, Jermaine Franklin, who I will face on April 1st. I think it’s good that he’s getting a chance because every fighter deserves a chance,” Anthony Joshua told DAZN Boxing of his fight against Jermaine Franklin next Saturday night in London, England.
“I don’t see him as a comeback fight for AJ. I think that’s what the media and narrative created around his next one, but I don’t think he sees himself as a comeback fighter.
“I think he sees himself as a real challenger. Someone who has been doing this since he was 11 years old. So I don’t think he sees himself as a comeback fight for everyone. I respect him and I have to take him seriously and he will go along with it.
“I hope to be victorious on April 1st because Apparently if I lose to him my career is over and that means no one will let me fightt by the sound of things. So all these narratives that they create.
“I just have to make sure I live in my own realms. This is a serious fighter. It’s not a comeback fight and I’m not going to lose. So there is no IF. I have to focus on winning,” said Joshua.
