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

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Press Release

Former two-time unified heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) fights at The O2 in London for the first time since 2016 as he begins life under the tutelage of new head trainer Derrick James. ‘AJ’ returns to the scene of his first World Title win over Charles Martin to face another American contender in Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14 KOs). Saginaw’s ‘989 Assassin’ pushed Dillian Whyte all the way in a close points loss at Wembley’s OVO Arena last November and is relishing his shot against one of the biggest names in the sport.

British megastar Joshua is ready to begin his ascent back to the top of the Heavyweight division after suffering back-to-back losses to pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk in London and Saudi Arabia.

This fight will be the first in Joshua’s new five-year partnership with DAZN to be streamed live, exclusive and worldwide on the digital sports entertainment platform, which is fast becoming the undisputed Global Home of Boxing. Joshua vs. Franklin will be included in the £9.99 per month DAZN saver subscription, making it the first fight in over eight years that fans do not need to pay an additional pay-per-view fee to watch Joshua. Beyond the UK, DAZN is available in over 200 territories. Simple to download as an app on Smart TVs, games consoles, tablets and mobiles, and subscribed to with one-click, being on DAZN will make this the most accessible Joshua fight ever.

“I'm looking forward to stepping back into the ring on April 1 at The O2 in London.” said Joshua. “Mentally and physically I feel ready. I want to put on a show and impress my coach as he has high standards. Franklin has a good style and a great attitude, which he has shown in recent fights. This will be my first fight broadcast on DAZN in the UK and it will be globally available on the platform. I want to thank DAZN for supporting both myself and the sport of boxing as a whole. I would also like to thank the team at 258 and Matchroom Boxing.”

“I’m ready to show the world why it’s time for me to take my place at the top of the Heavyweight division,” said Franklin. “Joshua had his time. It’s my time to shock the world! This fight isn’t going to the judge’s card. I will have win number 22 come April 1. That ain’t no April Fool’s joke.”

[margaret thatcher]

5 year partnership for aj? as in 5 years of fights? not sure he's got that in him tbh

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5 year partnership for aj? as in 5 years of fights? not sure he's got that in him tbh

10 fights?

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https://www.youtube.com/live/5K9-sggfFD8?feature=share

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Bolotniks was supposed to fight Arthur on Channel 5 for the IBO bet, but wasn’t approved

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Cash-Signani confirmed

[maverick23]

I like Richards vs Ricards. I don’t mind the Cash fight either. I think he wins reasonably comfortably but always nice to see people go after the EBU.

[mickey1975]

Anyone wanting tickets for this, get online. It isnt difficult.

[The Gratest]

If we're able to read your comment, then we're already online, so of course it isn't difficult.

[garethhop]

No doubt the show will sell out, but there's no queue, you can still pick up one of the few £60 tickets from axs, and there are dozens full rows of tickets at £150 and £200 left an hour after them being on sale.

Compare that to the pre-Usyk fight situation.

Card looks pretty good.

[keithmoonhangover]

I'm watching the Presser when I should be working.

[tony1234]

No doubt the show will sell out, but there's no queue, you can still pick up one of the few £60 tickets from axs, and there are dozens full rows of tickets at £150 and £200 left an hour after them being on sale.

Compare that to the pre-Usyk fight situation.

Card looks pretty good.

Seems loads of tickets available, bit of a downer from selling out Wembley Stadium in seconds

[The Gratest]

It could potentially be in the same month as Fury v Usyk, so folk's might be waiting to see if that one gets signed before committing. Has Fury released a deadline for that getting signed yet?

[HomicideHenry]

We will see whether Anthony Joshua has that star power that Mike Tyson had where Mike could literally fight a taxi driver and sell out an arena. But it seems to me there is a lot of people not really interested in this particular matchup at all. Had Joshua decided to fight Whyte, who beat Franklin, it would have been a whole other story because it would have been a proper crossroads fight.

[tony1234]

If Joshua has lost his drawing power then Eddie will be panicking , could be the cost of living crisis with quite a few decent cards on their way

[mickey1975]

If Joshua has lost his drawing power then Eddie will be panicking , could be the cost of living crisis with quite a few decent cards on their way

I had 150,000 in front of me in the queue for Usyk. 371 today….

[keithmoonhangover]

If Joshua has lost his drawing power then Eddie will be panicking , could be the cost of living crisis with quite a few decent cards on their way

I had 150,000 in front of me in the queue for Usyk. 371 today….

Are you going to AJ-Franklin? Did you go to AJ-Usyk?

[keithmoonhangover]

We will see whether Anthony Joshua has that star power that Mike Tyson had where Mike could literally fight a taxi driver and sell out an arena. But it seems to me there is a lot of people not really interested in this particular matchup at all. Had Joshua decided to fight Whyte, who beat Franklin, it would have been a whole other story because it would have been a proper crossroads fight.

When Tyson fought at Hamden, it was less than half full.

[mickey1975]

If Joshua has lost his drawing power then Eddie will be panicking , could be the cost of living crisis with quite a few decent cards on their way

I had 150,000 in front of me in the queue for Usyk. 371 today….

Are you going to AJ-Franklin? Did you go to AJ-Usyk?

No to both. I touted the Usyk fight.

[tony1234]

If Joshua has lost his drawing power then Eddie will be panicking , could be the cost of living crisis with quite a few decent cards on their way

I had 150,000 in front of me in the queue for Usyk. 371 today….

I had none , straight in and pick what you want , I'd be worried if I was relying on AJ moving numbers going forward. Saturday night out at the O2 for all the usual coke heads singing Sweet Caroline should be sold out straightaway

[mickey1975]

If Joshua has lost his drawing power then Eddie will be panicking , could be the cost of living crisis with quite a few decent cards on their way

I had 150,000 in front of me in the queue for Usyk. 371 today….

I had none , straight in and pick what you want , I'd be worried if I was relying on AJ moving numbers going forward. Saturday night out at the O2 for all the usual coke heads singing Sweet Caroline should be sold out straightaway

I think it will sell out soon but am shocked it wasnt instant.

[Boxerbeetle]

I had 150,000 in front of me in the queue for Usyk. 371 today….

I had none , straight in and pick what you want , I'd be worried if I was relying on AJ moving numbers going forward. Saturday night out at the O2 for all the usual coke heads singing Sweet Caroline should be sold out straightaway

I think it will sell out soon but am shocked it wasnt instant.

Most of the casuals genuinely won’t even know it’s on yet. Perils of being on a niche streaming service.

[garethhop]

Just watched AJ's IFL interview. Joshua's a weird bloke. And as much as a bullshitter and contradictory as Fury too.

Him vs Joyce or Wilder would be brilliant this year.