Round-by-Round: Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin | DAZN - 1 April 2023

[Cyclops]

franklin is a tough mutha and a hard nights work for anyone .
Good test for a 70 % ish performance from joshua .

Dubious would knock him out. So would Joyce, maybe even Wardley.

Joyce would walk through Franklin and stop him. I wouldn't be so confident about the other two.

[HomicideHenry]

I don't think it's a good look considering this guy was supposed to be brought in as cannon fodder for Joshua and yet the man goes the whole 12 rounds. I won't be surprised if Tyson Fury jumps all over this, unless Joshua purposely held back.

[KiwiRider]

ddd was bounced off the canvas by kev lerena, i wouldnt be so confident he runs through aj

The AJ you saw tonight?
He got the job done, granted, but it wasn't inspiring was it?

[margaret thatcher]

ddd was bounced off the canvas by kev lerena, i wouldnt be so confident he runs through aj

The AJ you saw tonight?
He got the job done, granted, but it wasn't inspiring was it?

a massive step up from anyone dub has beat, it wasn't inspiring but he's still a top hw

[KiwiRider]

ddd was bounced off the canvas by kev lerena, i wouldnt be so confident he runs through aj

The AJ you saw tonight?
He got the job done, granted, but it wasn't inspiring was it?

a massive step up from anyone dub has beat, it wasn't inspiring but he's still a top hw

[veriton]

Was that AJ's Naz v Calvo?

Good comparison. Awful fight against a limited opponent, AJ looks a shadow of who he once was.

[joshj909]

ddd was bounced off the canvas by kev lerena, i wouldnt be so confident he runs through aj

The AJ you saw tonight?
He got the job done, granted, but it wasn't inspiring was it?

a massive step up from anyone dub has beat, it wasn't inspiring but he's still a top hw

It could be argued that even Franklin is a massive step up from anyone that Dubois has beat, let alone Joshua

[dan28uk]

Aj did ok and Franklin clearly has a chin. Aj did still look a bit gunshy tho. He has been since the first Ruiz fight.

He's terrified he will empty the tank.

considering he came in at his heaviest i dod think he might empty late on but didnt look like he was

[tonyevs]

Just watched it knowing the result ..

I guess it was a very subdued fight against a genuinely live opponent, most were expecting AJ to demolish Franklin at some stage, but he seemed content to get a very safe win. That may be part of a bigger plan if he really does fight another 2x this year as planned. To build confidence for the big push this time next year.

Quite a few comments online how Fury and Joyce would beat that AJ .. I not so sure. Joyce would be getting hit
alot and whilst there is a possibility he wears AJ out by doing so, those big AJ punches could also wear Joyce out too.

I still think it's 50/50 at this stage for AJ against Fury.

[daz74]

Fell asleep, just watched the rerun, Franklin won 3 rounds, AJ won the rest, Good fight with nice niggle at the end

[mickey1975]

Just watched it knowing the result ..

I guess it was a very subdued fight against a genuinely live opponent, most were expecting AJ to demolish Franklin at some stage, but he seemed content to get a very safe win. That may be part of a bigger plan if he really does fight another 2x this year as planned. To build confidence for the big push this time next year.

Quite a few comments online how Fury and Joyce would beat that AJ .. I not so sure. Joyce would be getting alot and whilst there is a possibility he wears AJ out by doing so, those big AJ punches could also wear Joyce out too.

I still think it's 50/50 at this stage for AJ against Fury.

You're letting your dislike of Fury cloud your judgement. He should be at least 3-1 against Fury. Joyce wouldn't get hit a lot, either. AJ throws single punches nowadays, he wouldn't last six rounds if he throws combinations.

[ashall2]

Fury goes 12 with Wallin - silence.

Joshua goes 12 with Franklin - ‘he’s done, he needs to retire, he’s finished at the top level’

[boxerrob2005]

This reminds me of Oscar De La Hoya vs Steve Forbes. Oscar coming off a loss to Mayweather got a really average win against an average fighter. Couldn't pull the trigger and in the next fight against Pacquaio is really exposed as the shot fighter we saw against Forbes. I think Joshua has reached this point of his career.

[tonyevs]

Just watched it knowing the result ..

I guess it was a very subdued fight against a genuinely live opponent, most were expecting AJ to demolish Franklin at some stage, but he seemed content to get a very safe win. That may be part of a bigger plan if he really does fight another 2x this year as planned. To build confidence for the big push this time next year.

Quite a few comments online how Fury and Joyce would beat that AJ .. I not so sure. Joyce would be getting alot and whilst there is a possibility he wears AJ out by doing so, those big AJ punches could also wear Joyce out too.

I still think it's 50/50 at this stage for AJ against Fury.

You're letting your dislike of Fury cloud your judgement. He should be at least 3-1 against Fury. Joyce wouldn't get hit a lot, either. AJ throws single punches nowadays, he wouldn't last six rounds if he throws combinations.

That may well be a possibility, but in same way, your dislike for AJ may be clouding your judgement too.

Based on Fury's last 2 fights and AJs last 2 fights there really isn't a lot in it when opponents are considered. I'd put that Franklin as stiffer/sturdier opposition than Whyte (I know their fight result).
And Wilder 3 v Usyk 2 is simply no comparison.

Joyce absorbs big punches every fight - why would AJ be no different?
I'd agree that Joyce would start favourite against AJ .. but that's based on AJ not looking the wrecking ball he previously did; but he just fights differently now.

[ashall2]

Joyce has got to be the most overrated fighter going. Any top 5 heavyweight will beat him, he takes far too many shots. He looked poor against Takam then beat Parker who is absolutely shite these days and you get clowns saying he’d beat Usyk off the back of it

Top 5 plus Zhang *

[handsofstone]

Fury goes 12 with Wallin - silence.

Joshua goes 12 with Franklin - ‘he’s done, he needs to retire, he’s finished at the top level’

I remember the masses were saying the same after Fury's win over Pianeta, Joshua's definitely lost something but he's always fancied himself as a boxer, even from day 1 he's talked about learning, improving, not making mistakes etc, he's definitely inspired by Lewis and Wlad, it's a pity he didn't get the KO but he comfortably beat a potential banana skin, Franklin reminded me a bit of Ruiz when I was watching, short in stature but fast, had a quick jab and pretty speedy combinations, Franklin's no world beater but he should've got the win over Whyte therefore should've been regarded as a top 10 heavyweight

[martinmrts]

Joyce has got to be the most overrated fighter going. Any top 5 heavyweight will beat him, he takes far too many shots. He looked poor against Takam then beat Parker who is absolutely shite these days and you get clowns saying he’d beat Usyk off the back of it

Every time Joyce steps up I think "surely that won't work at this level", but I've been wrong every time. Very interested to see how far he can go

[samwbr]

Joyce has got to be the most overrated fighter going. Any top 5 heavyweight will beat him, he takes far too many shots. He looked poor against Takam then beat Parker who is absolutely shite these days and you get clowns saying he’d beat Usyk off the back of it

He keeps beating everyone they put in front of him.

[mickey1975]

Fury goes 12 with Wallin - silence.

Joshua goes 12 with Franklin - ‘he’s done, he needs to retire, he’s finished at the top level’

Silence by whom? The board never shuts up about it. And he had one eye.

[mickey1975]

Just watched it knowing the result ..

I guess it was a very subdued fight against a genuinely live opponent, most were expecting AJ to demolish Franklin at some stage, but he seemed content to get a very safe win. That may be part of a bigger plan if he really does fight another 2x this year as planned. To build confidence for the big push this time next year.

Quite a few comments online how Fury and Joyce would beat that AJ .. I not so sure. Joyce would be getting alot and whilst there is a possibility he wears AJ out by doing so, those big AJ punches could also wear Joyce out too.

I still think it's 50/50 at this stage for AJ against Fury.

You're letting your dislike of Fury cloud your judgement. He should be at least 3-1 against Fury. Joyce wouldn't get hit a lot, either. AJ throws single punches nowadays, he wouldn't last six rounds if he throws combinations.

That may well be a possibility, but in same way, your dislike for AJ may be clouding your judgement too.

Based on Fury's last 2 fights and AJs last 2 fights there really isn't a lot in it when opponents are considered. I'd put that Franklin as stiffer/sturdier opposition than Whyte (I know their fight result).
And Wilder 3 v Usyk 2 is simply no comparison.

Joyce absorbs big punches every fight - why would AJ be no different?
I'd agree that Joyce would start favourite against AJ .. but that's based on AJ not looking the wrecking ball he previously did; but he just fights differently now.

Fury beat Wilder, who hits a few hundred times harder than Usyk. There are no comparisons between those two because they are polar opposite fighters.
Which fight result do you know? Whyte sparked out by Fury or Whyte beating Franklin? I don't get it. Franklin isn't very good. I would put money on Dubious knocking him out. Dillian nearly had him out of there an awful lot more than AJ.

[tonyevs]

You're letting your dislike of Fury cloud your judgement. He should be at least 3-1 against Fury. Joyce wouldn't get hit a lot, either. AJ throws single punches nowadays, he wouldn't last six rounds if he throws combinations.

That may well be a possibility, but in same way, your dislike for AJ may be clouding your judgement too.

Based on Fury's last 2 fights and AJs last 2 fights there really isn't a lot in it when opponents are considered. I'd put that Franklin as stiffer/sturdier opposition than Whyte (I know their fight result).
And Wilder 3 v Usyk 2 is simply no comparison.

Joyce absorbs big punches every fight - why would AJ be no different?
I'd agree that Joyce would start favourite against AJ .. but that's based on AJ not looking the wrecking ball he previously did; but he just fights differently now.

Fury beat Wilder, who hits a few hundred times harder than Usyk. There are no comparisons between those two because they are polar opposite fighters.
Which fight result do you know? Whyte sparked out by Fury or Whyte beating Franklin? I don't get it. Franklin isn't very good. I would put money on Dubious knocking him out. Dillian nearly had him out of there an awful lot more than AJ.

Your bias really showing through now Mick.

I agree Wilder hits harder than Usyk - a few hundred times harder .. .. we too old for school playground now Mick
But I'd say Usyk hits harder than Cunningham.

I meant Whyte getting the dubious decision over Franklin .. who you state isn't very good .. then by default Fury sparking Whyte holds little weight.

Whyte only fights one way - do or die .. which nowadays sees him looking more fragile and quite dramatically starched.

Fury hasn't looked great in his last 2 fights. Because AJ wasn't the wrecking ball of old last night doesn't make Fury any better ..

[Frostieballs]

Just caught up on this. Clear win and I guess we don’t know how good Franklin is.

Thing that struck me most was the lack of speed in AJ’s work - both in throwing punches and his footwork.

He was like a 45rpm record being played at 33rpm.

What’s all that about?

Is he hesitant because he’s gunshy? Or because he’s trying to work on new things and piece it all together?

[mickey1975]

That may well be a possibility, but in same way, your dislike for AJ may be clouding your judgement too.

Based on Fury's last 2 fights and AJs last 2 fights there really isn't a lot in it when opponents are considered. I'd put that Franklin as stiffer/sturdier opposition than Whyte (I know their fight result).
And Wilder 3 v Usyk 2 is simply no comparison.

Joyce absorbs big punches every fight - why would AJ be no different?
I'd agree that Joyce would start favourite against AJ .. but that's based on AJ not looking the wrecking ball he previously did; but he just fights differently now.

Fury beat Wilder, who hits a few hundred times harder than Usyk. There are no comparisons between those two because they are polar opposite fighters.
Which fight result do you know? Whyte sparked out by Fury or Whyte beating Franklin? I don't get it. Franklin isn't very good. I would put money on Dubious knocking him out. Dillian nearly had him out of there an awful lot more than AJ.

Your bias really showing through now Mick.

I agree Wilder hits harder than Usyk - a few hundred times harder .. .. we too old for school playground now Mick
But I'd say Usyk hits harder than Cunningham.

I meant Whyte getting the dubious decision over Franklin .. who you state isn't very good .. then by default Fury sparking Whyte holds little weight.

Whyte only fights one way - do or die .. which nowadays sees him looking more fragile and quite dramatically starched.

Fury hasn't looked great in his last 2 fights. Because AJ wasn't the wrecking ball of old last night doesn't make Fury any better ..

What has Cunningham got to do with it? Because he floored Fury 10 years ago before getting bullied and stopped by the much bigger man? What has Tyson done wrong in his last two fights? They were non competitive!

[handsofstone]

Think we need to remember, people who are saying Joshua aint the same monster since getting battered by Ruiz or even dropped by Klitschko, the invincible fasade works both ways, Joshua may be more hesitant but also now his opponents are more willing to engage now they see the vulnerabilities

[KiwiRider]

Joyce has got to be the most overrated fighter going. Any top 5 heavyweight will beat him, he takes far too many shots. He looked poor against Takam then beat Parker who is absolutely shite these days and you get clowns saying he’d beat Usyk off the back of it

Every time Joyce steps up I think "surely that won't work at this level", but I've been wrong every time. Very interested to see how far he can go

Same, he keeps winning and nothing seems to phase or slow him down.
It has to be doing him damage taking all those flush shots to the head