Anthony Joshua Defeats Jermaine Franklin on Points

Anthony Joshua Defeats Jermaine Franklin on Points

Anthony Joshua got the win his career so badly needed, but it was a performance that didn’t inspire or offer much hope that Joshua will once again lay claim to the heavyweight championship of the world.

Joshua won unanimously by scores of 118-111, 117-111, 117-111, and saved his career in the process. It wasn’t about titles. It was about survival. It was that simple. He lives to fight another day. But how many more days will there be? On this performance, not many.

Franklin (21-2) absorbed plenty of big right hands but didn’t throw anywhere near enough punches to remotely threaten the upset. The American was never going to win on points, and there was little desperation or urgency in his work. Franklin seemed to accept his fate a little too easily. He promised plenty but delivered very little.

Joshua boxed well behind his jab, a thudding underrated punch in his arsenal that was far too good for the limited opposition in front of him at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night. But there was still uncertainty in his work. Fleeting glances to his latest new corner throughout were a worrying sign. Joshua won beyond doubt. But the manner of the victory left much doubt that the former two-time heavyweight champion will reclaim former glories. A one-sided victory that was still unconvincing against an opponent who sits well outside of the top ten in his division.

There was the tiresome talk of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder again post-fight, neither look realistic in the short-term. In many ways, Dillian Whyte makes far more sense. Fury or Wilder, on this performance, would probably end the Anthony Joshua story without much effort. Joe Joyce you feel would walk right through Joshua.

Joshua (25-3) didn’t overly impress. Or convince. He was too tentative at times, clearly lacking in confidence and never once threatened the stoppage victory his career needed. He wins and fights on. But he probably needed a little more. After two successive defeats at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua can be given a little bit of leeway, but still, something was missing. And in truth, has been since Andy Ruiz took away plenty in New York in 2019. Gun shy, fighting scared, Joshua has lost something that seemingly can’t be put back. There are mental frailties that might never be fixed. Derrick James, the latest voice at the helm, needs time to work his magic, but at 33, Joshua will struggle to make the changes he needs.

Franklin was picked for a reason. He offered little danger, and Joshua still didn’t do what was expected. He still looks like an accident waiting to happen whenever heavy punches came in his direction, and it seems only a matter of time before the final bell chimes.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing