On The Watch “It’s All About Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin”

Heavyweight Showdown

Tonight’s Matchroom/DAZN Main Event between former Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22 Kos) and Jermaine Franklin (21-2, 14 Kos) was a much-needed reception that AJ required to have in his own backyard at the 02 Arena, Greenwich, London, UK to uplift his spirit. Real Talk!

Everyone in attendance and me included expected to see AJ dispatch of his opponent in a very quick and destructive fashion but instead we got to see Anthony display a little of what he’s been working with alongside his new trainer Derrick James.

The detractors are going to be going for AJ’s head for not taking Jermaine out before the last bell but let’s keep it real AJ is on his third head trainer change and needed to execute the “game plan” at hand and build from there.

I personally would have appreciated seeing AJ being a little more aggressive in this bout but Franklin was not some chump who was inside that squared circle to lay down without a fight. Franklin did his best and stood up going toe to toe with the hulking AJ for 12 full rounds.

Franklin showed AJ no respect inside that squared circle but lacked the power to deter Anthony from having his way with his own stiff and heavy jab alongside some serious power combination shots as the rounds progressed. Had AJ sat on his punches with a little more aggression I believe he could have collected his 23rd knockout. Real talk!

At the completion of this bout, the Judges at hand scored it 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 unanimously for Anthony Joshua. Although we didn’t get to see a destructive performance by Anthony, he did what was necessary to secure a much-needed win under his belt.

My personal opinion after watching this bout is that with Derrick James having more time with Joshua, I expect to see a much more improved and imposing Anthony in his next bout.

Blaze