EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Joshua admits to Sportsmail he’s ‘NOT happy’ with his unanimous decision win over Jermaine Franklin – but says ‘it’s all good’ as he targets blockbuster fight with Tyson Fury
- Anthony Joshua beat Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision on Saturday
- The 33-year-old fighter won comfortably despite not quite being at his best
- He told Sportsmail he was ‘not too happy’ with his performance despite the win
Anthony Joshua has admitted he could have performed better after beating Jermaine Franklin on Saturday night, but felt the result was the main thing.
AJ picked up his first victory since 2020 despite a less than convincing performance against Franklin, as the fight was scored 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 in his favour.
His opponent showed off an impressive chin but rarely troubled Joshua, who was able to cruise through the fight without being at his best.
Reflecting on the fight, Joshua told Sportsmail he was ‘not too happy’ with his performance, but added ‘it’s all good’ after getting over the line.
It is a welcome return to form for the two-time world champion, who had lost three of his previous five fights before Saturday after an initial run of 22 bouts unbeaten.
Anthony Joshua beat American Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision on Saturday night
The two-time world-heavyweight-champion won comfortably despite being below his best
Joshua exclusively told Sportsmail he was ‘not too happy’ with his display afterwards
The 33-year-old’s ambition seems to be as strong as ever after the win as he called out another British heavyweight after the victory.
‘I know who they want. They said Tyson Fury,’ he told DAZN after the win. ‘The ball is in his court. I would be honoured to fight for the WBC Heavyweight Championship of the World.
‘If he’s listening, he knows my promoter; we’ve had dialogue before, so lets continue this. We ain’t getting any younger.’
Promoter Eddie Hearn backed his fighter up, as he added: ‘AJ is going to want the biggest fights.
‘Tonight was a step down from Oleksandr Usyk, but there was huge pressure.
‘He ended the fight well, but like he said they aren’t getting any younger. We would be willing to entertain those conversations to go straight into a Tyson Fury fight in the summer.’
Fury was due to fight Usyk in a unification bout next month, but talks fell through after financial disagreements.
Hearn previously told Sportsmail talks had taken place over a Joshua vs Fury fight this summer, although Frank Warren later angrily denied this.
AJ called out fellow British heavyweight Tyson Fury after his win at the O2 Arena on Saturday
