Wild post-fight scenes after Anthony Joshua defeats Jermaine Franklin
Tensions have boiled over after the bell following an act of clear disrespect from Anthony Joshua in his highly-anticipated comeback fight.
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Tensions have boiled over in fiery post-fight scenes after Anthony Joshua secured a dour points victory over Jermaine Franklin at the 02 Arena in London on Sunday morning (AEST).
Just seconds after the final bell rung on the 12-round battle, the 33-year-old British superstar threw a soft, disrespectful jab to the back of his American rival’s head.
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The pair then went head-to-head like bulls as heated words were exchanged.
The referee and trainers eventually split up the heavyweights before any serious damage was done, but still, many considered the post-match tussle the most exciting moment of the night.
Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, got his career back on track with a unanimous points victory, his first win in almost three years.
He was given the win 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 on the scorecards of the three judges, marking a comeback of sorts after successive defeats by Oleksandr Usyk saw the former Olympic champion lose, and then fail to regain his global titles.
Moments after their post-fight tussle, Joshua’s hand was raised as he was declared the winner of the bout – a somewhat underwhelming result given many believed his opponent was not up to his world-class standard.
His trainer Derrick James even hinted he was dissapointed in Joshua’s lack of aggression and his inability to score a knockout in the late rounds.
Joshua did eventually shake hands with his American rival after the bout, his 25th win in 28 professional fights, before he apologised to the audience for the ugly post-fight incident.
“Inside this square circle, it’s a different type of energy in here, so I apologise for anyone watching and seeing that type of stuff because we’re sportsmen,” Joshua said in his post-fight interview.
"Last time I grabbed the mic it was a bit chaotic" 😅@anthonyjoshua is back in the win column ✅#JoshuaFranklin | @WilliamHillpic.twitter.com/zjPm8oQ1zO
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 1, 2023
“But I respect Jermaine, I respect everyone here tonight.”
Joshua also revealed his frustration at not being able to knock Franklin out, saying that “in 15 years, no one will remember that fight anyway”.
“Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to tuck up, he did well,” he said.
“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.”
AJ then turned his focus to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, saying the time was ticking for the pair to finally make the all-British dream fight happen.
“You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?” Joshua 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.”
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Originally published as Wild post-fight scenes after Anthony Joshua defeats Jermaine Franklin
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