Anthony Joshua looks to get back on track against Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena this weekend.
The two-time heavyweight champion weighed in at a career-heaviest on Friday, looking to inflict serious damage on Franklin who fights in the capital for the second time in six months.
Joshua is a heavy favourite to get a win that will put him back into the world title conversation but his American opponent proved to be a tricky assignment for Dillian Whyte last November.
Franklin gave the Brighton heavyweight problems in his own back yard and was convinced he had done enough to get the in. The judges’ felt differently with Whyte getting the majority decision win as Franklin suffered the first defeat of his career.
While ‘AJ’ is expected to win, it needs to be emphatic. Should Franklin give him the sort of trouble Whyte struggled with six months ago, questions will continue to be asked.
Here, some of the biggest names in boxing past and present give their predictions ahead of fight night.
Eddie Hearn – Joshua’s promoter
‘A lot of that will be down to Derrick James to make sure he has the confidence, belief and the tank to let those fly. If he does that, it’s going to be a difficult night for Jermaine Franklin.
‘Franklin has shown how tough he is and he was in it right up to the 12th round [against Dillian Whyte]. I think he’ll be fitter in this fight as well.
‘I feel like Franklin is going to raise his game against AJ, but I believe AJ will knock him out, but I don’t think it’s going to be easy.’
Prediction? Joshua KO
Lawrence Okolie – Cruiserweight champion
‘He’s definitely going to knock out Franklin in my opinion.
‘Franklin, although he’s a good boxer, he’s going to have to respect AJ’s length, strength and ability. So, it’s going to be a tough nights work for him.’
Prediction? Joshua KO
George Groves – former world champion
‘I think we’ll see a really solid performance from Anthony Joshua. Franklin is a good fighter, put up a real good [fight],he lost to Dillian Whyte, but a lot of peope thought he might have won, it wasn’t the best Whyte that night.
‘Franklin is a good, solid fighter, I think he’s in better shape from what I’ve heard. But I think if Joshua hits him, then Joshua hurts him, then Joshua gets rid of him.’
Prediction? Joshua KO
Frazer Clarke – heavyweight prospect
‘We saw Jermaine Franklin come to London last year and give Dillian Whyte problems.
‘But I think Joshua deals with those problems. AJ hits a lot harder than Dillian and technically he is a lot better.
‘I think he will end it within three or four rounds, maybe even earlier. As soon as he catches him we’ll know.
‘The size and weight difference just can’t be ignored either. Franklin looks really small next to him, not to take anything away from him but this AJ has got the bit between his teeth again. He is dangerous.’
Prediction? Joshua KO
David Haye – former heavyweight champion
‘I think Jermaine Franklin showed how good he was against Dillian Whyte. A lot of people said it was a super-close fight.
‘And [for AJ] to go out there and blast him out in a couple of rounds will be a good statement to the world, like ‘I’m back!’ That’s what a world champion, future world champion would do.’
Prediction? Joshua win
MORE : ‘How do you get up for that?’ – John Fury not convinced Tyson Fury will fight Joe Joyce next and also raises Anthony Joshua doubts
MORE : Jermaine Franklin insists Anthony Joshua is far from finished in boxing but sends warning to judges ahead of showdown
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