Joshua v Franklin: Must-win fight for AJ after Usyk defeats

Franklin is 4/1 to score a knockdown at any time in the fight and 11/1 to win by KO, TKO or disqualification.

Joshua has laughed off Franklin’s threat though and insisted this is the “worst time” to face him.

“The more he talks, the bigger grave he digs for himself but it is what it is,” said Joshua. “I could say a lot of things about him but I respect my opponent.

“It is not for me to talk, it is for you to do all the talking and for me to do my job on Saturday. That is really honestly what I am focused on from round one to round 12.

“I am prepared for a 12-rounder but I do believe in my ability, my counter-punching and all that type of stuff to definitely put a dent in Jermaine. But I am not here to talk, I am here to do what I have to do because I really want to win.”

Joshua (24-3, 22KOs) has changed trainers ahead of this fight, with Robert Garcia ditched in favour of Derrick James, who housed the Briton at his World Class Boxing Gym in Dallas over the winter.

While the two-time heavyweight champion has 22 knockouts on his record, he was adamant entertaining his home crowd was not a motivation and he is 4/1 to win on points, with the fight to go the distance priced at 11/4 in the Joshua v Franklin betting odds.

Done with talking. @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/GGXRIq9gyU

— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) March 29, 2023

Joshua insisted it was simply great to be back in the ring after watching rivals Tyson Fury and Usyk recently fail to arrange a unification clash.

“In terms of entertaining, we don’t play boxing, but at the same time people from years back and the empires, they love people coming together and fighting,” the Finchley boxer added.

“There will be entertainment regardless. I think we will see blood and I just really look forward to getting in there again.

“I’m so happy I’m fighting again because when you look at the champions now, it is just a shambles when you are trying to compete with mandatories and negotiations. Honestly I can’t believe no fights have been made at championship level.

“I am so happy I can get back to work, get on with my job and I am looking forward to this assignment. I can’t wait honestly. I am really looking forward to it.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn has conceded to feeling nerves though, saying: “I’m not as calm as AJ but it’s a massive fight. We’re in a position now where it is must win.

“You can dress it up and say there is less pressure, no belts but ultimately if he doesn’t win there will never be another belt, so that’s the aim. To put himself back in a position to fight for the world heavyweight title and to do that he must win on Saturday.

“Derrick James has done a lot of work with him, so we’ll see an aggressive Anthony Joshua and a smart Anthony Joshua. If he lets Franklin get confident, it is going to be a very dangerous fight, so he must hurt him early.”

Joshua is 5/2 to knock Franklin down in the first three rounds and is 7/5 to win in the first six rounds.

Coral’s John Hill said: “Anthony Joshua has said he will retire if he is unable to defeat Jermaine Franklin, so there is a lot of the line for this British boxer this weekend. We make him long odds-on to prevail, while the betting indicates he should get the job done inside the 12 rounds.

“AJ won’t need reminding about upsets in the heavyweight division. Andy Ruiz JR was 16/1 to defeat him before he stopped the world champion in 2019. Franklin is much shorter in the betting at 6/1 to inflict defeat on the favourite.”

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All odds and markets correct at date of publication