ANTHONY JOSHUA has defeated Jermaine Franklin by a unanimous decision in his return to the ring.
But the action continued AFTER the bell as both fighters and their teams clashed when the fight ended.
AJ made his return to the ring for the first time since losing in heart-breaking fashion to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch last August.
- Result: Anthony Joshua WINS by UD
- Radio: talkSPORT
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- Matt Penn
Bloody affair
AJ's shorts were left covered in claret after busting his nose early in the fight.
Another 12-rounder in the bank for the former two-time world champion.
Credit: Reuters - James Orr
Verbal jab
Anthony Joshua delivered an X-rated blast at Jermaine Franklin after the first round of his patchy comeback victory on points.
AJ triumphed at the 02 following two defeats but was never at his best – and it even KICKED OFF AGAIN after the final bell.
And he was certainly pumped up for it as things threatened to boil over after the opening round.
His American rival was spotted sticking his tongue out at Joshua during the early stages of the bout.
Then once the bell had gone AJ initially refused to sit in his corner as he stood eyeballing his opponent.
Then, still looking fuming, he stood eyeballing before he shouted: “F*** off.”
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - James Orr
Atlas not impressed in AJ
Hall of Famer and legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas was not impressed in Anthony Joshua's performance last night.
Atlas tweeted: "No change in Joshua with new trainer, he's a typical English style fighter, very picturesque, but you can hit him standing talk."
- James Orr
AJ on Tyson Fury fight
Anthony Joshua said he and Tyson Fury "are not getting any younger" as he talked up a HUGE summer fight.
AJ said: "They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
"I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you're listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
"We've had dialect before, so let's continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain't getting any younger."
- Jack Figg
Mic take
Joshua takes a little dig at himself by laughing off his infamous rant following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
After victory over Jermaine Franklin, he said: “Last time I grabbed the mic, it was a bit chaotic so I’m calm. I appreciate every single person coming out this evening.
“Inside this squared circle, it’s a different type of energy in here so I apologise to anybody watching and seeing that type of stuff because we’re sportsmen.
“But, I respect Jermaine, I respect everyone here tonight. Eddie, thank you for this opportunity, fans and people watching at home, thank you as well.”
Credit: PA - Jack Figg
Carl of duty
Carl Frampton is tacking positives from Anthony Joshua going 12 rounds with Jermaine Franklin under his new coach Derrick James.
Frampton tweeted: "If there’s confidence issues over his engine, going the distance in a reasonably high paced fight will do him the world of good.
"He looked to be punching at the target rather than through it. 2 weeks off, then straight back to Texas with Derek James. Good win."
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - Jack Figg
Whyte noise
Dillian Whyte – who beat Jermaine Franklin in November – was left unimpressed by Anthony Joshua.
Whyte said: "I didn't think he looked particularly good tonight. He looked apprehensive.
"Any time Franklin made a feint like he was going to hit him, he was very apprehensive."
2Credit: Getty - Jack Figg
Eb and flow
Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin had a little tussle after the bell and were forced apart.
Women's IBF bantamweight world champion Ebanie Bridges was among those thinking it was better than the fight itself.
She tweeted: "Well that final altercation after the bell was more exciting than the fight."
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Ted talk
Legendary boxing coach and Hall of Famer Teddy Atlas was left unimpressed by Anthony Joshua's win over Jermaine Franklin.
He tweeted: "No change in Joshua with new trainer, he’s a typical English style fighter, very picturesque, but you can hit him standing talk."
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
- Jack Figg
Fury vs Joshua
Anthony Joshua has opened the door to challenging for Tyson Fury's WBC belt.
He said: “You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
“They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
“I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you’re listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
“We’ve had dialect before, so let’s continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain’t getting any younger.”
Credit: Getty - Jack Figg
Taking the mic
Joshua takes a little dig at himself by laughing off his infamous rant following defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
After victory over Jermaine Franklin, he said: "Last time I grabbed the mic, it was a bit chaotic so I'm calm. I appreciate every single person coming out this evening.
"Inside this squared circle, it's a different type of energy in here so I apologise to anybody watching and seeing that type of stuff because we're sportsmen.
"But, I respect Jermaine, I respect everyone here tonight. Eddie, thank you for this opportunity, fans and people watching at home, thank you as well."
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - Jack Figg
AJ wants Fury
He says: "You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
"They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world.
"I stand here and say that proudly, it would be an honour, so wherever you are if you're listening. You know my management, you know my promoter.
"We've had dialect before, so let's continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner rather than later. We ain't getting any younger."
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Joshua adds: "I don't study my weight, I was sparring 13-15 rounds and felt good."
"I wish I could come around and speak to every single fan because I appreciate you all."
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Joshua says: "O2 what's happening? That got a bit chaotic but I am calm now.
"I apologise to anyone who saw that., I respect Jermaine and all the fans.
"Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to tuck up, he did well.
"I should have knocked him out but now it is done and we are on to the next.
"When people come to fight me they bring a different type of energy, he was not here to roll over."
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Scores read 118-111, and 117-111 twice and your winner… ANTHONY JOSHUA!
Joshua gets his first win in almost three years, dating back to his December 2020 stoppage over Kubrat Pulev.
Perhaps the melee after the fight may be more memorable than the 12 rounds that came before it.
Credit: Reuters
- Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Joshua grabbed hold of Franklin, drove him back.
Franklin's trainer then grabbed AJ sparking a ruckus.
After all of that, the scorecards now follow…
- Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
There's a scuffle breaking out in the ring after the final bell.
Joshua appeared to give Franklin a little tap as the fight finished and the two came together and clashed.
Commentators now saying Tony Bellew is also amongst the aggro with a member of Franklin's team.
- Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 12 – Joshua sees out the final round, boxing behind his jab and staying out of trouble.
A big right hook forced Franklin to hold on, but like with Dillian Whyte last year it was too little too late.
AJ should emerge as a fairy comfortable winner on the cards, which will be his first victory since December 2020, over Kubrat Pulev.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 11 – Lovely left body shot and Franklin appeared to wince in pain as he backs up.
Another lovely left uppercut from AJ after slipping on the inside, a shot he's looked for all night.
Franklin did well to gain his composure and see out the 11th to head into the 12th and final round.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 10 – Both land big shots towards the final minute and they looked on heavy legs.
Joshua pulls ahead in the round by landing a lovely right hand but Franklin takes it on the chin.
Another right hand is followed up by a left hook from AJ, who finishes the round in control.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 10 – Joshua lands a sneaky right uppercut on the inside, following it up with some slashing hooks.
Another right hand rocks Franklin as they come out of the clinch. Good work from AJ.
Good work again from Joshua, letting his hands go but Franklin comes back with a big right hand!
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
- Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 9 – More coming togethers between the two as Franklin leaps in, misses and then grabs.
Franklin fires a right hand over the top, just missing the target and the pair are then warned about the holding on.
Another right hand fires over the top, this time landing on the chin of AJ, who takes it well but maybe concedes the round.
Credit: Getty - Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 8 – Joshua comes on strong with a combination and Franklin is forced to hold on.
More clinching and grabbing in this round and the referee is happy to try and let the pair fight it out.
Not too much action in the eighth, Franklin may be feeling the pace a bit as he looked to grab and hold.
Credit: Getty - Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 7 – Franklin throws a sharp combination but Joshua fires back with a left hook to the body.
Franklin comes forward with a one-two, forcing AJ back with the Brit looking tentative to commit.
Big right hand at the end of the round from Joshua, he needed that but he was far more static in this round.
Credit: Reuters - Jack Figg
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Round 6 – Solid jab from Joshua, who bring the left hook around after.
Lovely left uppercut from AJ, slipping before throwing but Franklin is unfazed and fires back.
Good work from Joshua's jab that round but Franklin is relentless and comes back whenever AJ fires off an attack.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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