Anthony Joshua Finalizes Opponent For April
Joshua is on a two-fight losing streak to Oleksandr Usyk.
UPDATE (1/24/2023 4:35 P.M. ET): Joshua has reportedly agreed to terms with Jermaine Franklin to fight on April at the O2 Arena in London, according to Boxing Scene and The Daily Mail.
Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn states that his client’s opponent for April will be announced next week. The British promoter has hinted that it could be American Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs).
‼️ Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin has reportedly now been finalised and will take place on April 1st at the O2 Arena in London. [According to @BoxingScene]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) January 24, 2023
According to the reports, the British promoter initially had four options for the 33-year-old, out of which he has ruled out three of them and is now left with Franklin. The American was recently involved in a controversial 12-round bout against Dillian Whyte on November 26 at the Wembley Arena.
Filip Hrgovic, a fighter Hearn would like to see against Joshua, has been told by IBF to lock horns against Andy Ruiz Jr in the title eliminator.
“He’s definitely in the mix. Demsey McKean is still in the mix. The linkup with a new trainer means a southpaw fighter, even though AJ just boxed one of them twice, is not ideal,” Hearn said to Boxing Special.
“I think Jermaine Franklin is a great fighter. People say, ‘It’s definitely Jermaine Franklin.’ Nothing is signed and agreed with, but Jermaine Franklin is coming off a fight where it was a very close fight with Dillian Whyte. Some people felt he won that fight.”