- Briton wins unanimous decision at the O2 Arena
- Joshua forced to go 12 rounds against 29-year-old American
Anthony Joshua won his first fight in more than two years with a dominant points victory over a brave and resilient Jermaine Franklin. The gritty American disappointed Joshua’s supporters, who had been hoping for a sensational win by knockout, by lasting the full 12 rounds late on Saturday night.
All three judges scored the fight in Joshua’s favour by accurately decisive margins of 117-111, twice, and 118-111. It was a comfortable victory but, despite Franklin’s innate toughness, Joshua had hoped to win the fight in far more thrilling style. Instead he landed the overwhelming majority of telling blows but could not force a stoppage while Franklin refused to buckle.