Anthony Joshua returns to winning ways, picks up first win in two years

Anthony Joshua picked up his first win in more than two years as he won via a unanimous decision against American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin. The former heavyweight champion defeated his adversary to end a damaging run of two defeats in the division.

Following a second defeat to Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua went under the radar in preparation for a comeback, and he secured a fight against 29-year-old Franklin, who had lost only once in his career, to Dillian Whyte.

Fighting in front of a home crowd in London, Joshua set the pace in the early rounds as he dominated, but failed to land a knockout blow. The 33-year-old took some damage in the fight but largely maintained control against his younger opponent, who did well to take him the distance. The judges scored the fight 117-111, 117-111 and 118-111 in Joshua’s favour, handing him the win deservedly. The Briton was, however, not satisfied with his performance as he felt he should have secured a knockout win.

“I respect him, he did well. I should have knocked him out but it is done. On to the next. He is here to prove himself, not roll over. I wish I could have knocked him out,” Joshua said to DAZN.

After the fight, Anthony Joshua called out WBC World Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury for a potential title shot. The pair have had a botched match up in the past, but may now look to face off after Fury failed to secure a bout with Usyk.