Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin: AJ hits out at critics for not talking to his face

By Sporting Life

Boxing

Thu March 30, 2023 · 2y ago

Anthony Joshua has delivered the first knock-out punch of fight week by telling his critics to speak to him face-to-face.

The British heavyweight will begin his road back to the top against Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena on Saturday eager to win again after consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua has faced plenty of criticism since the second and third losses of his career but insisted responding to “clowns” is not his motivation ahead of this weekend.

While the 33-year-old did not name any pundits and former or current professionals, only choosing to reference the subject of the question Carl Froch, he did poke fun at the two-faced nature of the sport.

Joshua v Franklin: Big fight details

Date and time: Saturday, April 1, 1900 GMT
Main event ringwalks (approx): 2200 GMT
TV Channel: DAZN 1 HD (Sky channel 429), but not pay-per-view. However, monthly packages start at £9.99. Fans can also watch for the same subscription at DAZN.com or via the DAZN app.
Radio: talkSPORT & talkSPORT 2
Sky Bet odds: Joshua 1/12, Franklin 6/1

“When it was Froch, I messaged him direct and said, ‘What you talking s*** about me for? Message me’.

“With (Amir) Khan and that s*** with his missus (Faryal Makhdoom), why was he going online? Just message me if you have something to say.

“I just find it awkward because my background, where I come from, it’s not about chasing clout, it is about results.”

Joshua has a similar philosophy about ex-trainer Robert Garcia, who has been critical of the professionalism of the two-time world heavyweight champion since their split.

He added: “When it comes to your head coach, I think it is important to keep things in-house, especially when you are talking about your fighters.

FACE OFF 👀@anthonyjoshua vs @JermaineFrankl6 #JoshuaFranklin live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/ouHgppCRgb
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 29, 2023

“There are things I didn’t like about some of my old coaches that I could talk about but I don’t. No-one is perfect but, when you come together in arms to go to war, there should be a level of respect.

“I have worked with Sean Murphy and John Oliver in the amateurs, all the GB coaches, Tony Sims and Rob McCracken in the pros, Angel Fernandez, Joby Clayton, Robert Garcia and Derrick James and Garcia is the first one to say the things he said and I didn’t like that, I found it weird.

“I am not perfect, trust me I do have tough days in camp but he went and pointed those things out, out of all the things we did in training camp.”

Speculation over Joshua’s future has rumbled on since his second loss to Usyk in August and debate continues over what would come next if another defeat occurred on Saturday.

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But the Finchley boxer insisted: “It is the worst time to face me. The more he talks, the bigger grave he digs for himself but it is what it is.

“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.”

🗣️ “The goal is to take him out. It's good to be back fighting in the UK” - @anthonyjoshua #JoshuaFranklin live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/MGywlWVfnD
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 29, 2023

Franklin lost narrowly to Dillian Whyte at Wembley Arena in November but juggled preparing for that fight with work commitments and promised a better version to walk out at the O2 Arena.

He said: “In the beginning I was on a health journey, changed my habits, changed stuff I was consuming and my body weight has just started falling off.

“I’m more ready, I’m more in shape and I’m ready to let the fireworks go.

“I will get the win by any means possible, but if I can put him on his a***, that’s what I’m going to do.

“Anything is possible. I come from a place where there are not a lot of possibilities and I made it this far so anything is possible.”