Joshua vs Franklin LIVE: Result, reaction and latest updates after AJ claims victory
Anthony Joshua outpointed American Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena to bounce back after defeats to Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Joshua outpointed Jermaine Franklin in London tonight as the British heavyweight got back to winning ways.
Joshua, 33, pulled off a first win since 2020 after suffering back-to-back defeats by Oleksandr Usyk, reigniting his career after emerging with a unanimous decision at The O2 in London.
The former Olympic champion, who switched his trainer to American Derrick James for this fight, secure the morale-boosting performance behind a crisp jab and a series of brutal uppercuts. American Franklin proved his worth and added to his reputation after a controversial loss to Dillian Whyte, with his leaner physique ensuring Joshua was troubled by his movement and slippery combinations.
Tonight was the first step back towards a world-title fight for Joshua, with Dillian Whyte or Tyson Fury likely next for AJ. Follow all the reaction and analysis from a thrilling night of boxing below:
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Fabio Wardley stops Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Wardley is asked about potential fights with Frazer Clarke, David Adeleye and Solomon Dacres:
“I want to win the belt outright, do it in style, against good opponents, good fights like Nathan Gorman. Competitive, the British title holds prestige. You can only do it justice in the right fights. I welcome all comers.”
Fabio Wardley stops Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Wardley on whether it was an early stoppage:
“Slightly. He’s experienced, tricky, slippery. He was half-there, 30 seconds left, I would have finished him off.
“Either way, the job’s done. He’s a tricky operator, he can switch stances, high guard, there was a lot to think about.
“I found my spots. I could have closed the show. A win’s a win.”
Fabio Wardley stops Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Tony Bellew and Dillian Whyte disagree with that stoppage!
Bellew: “[Referee] Howard Foster has stolen Fabio Wardley’s thunder. That was a really poor stoppage from Howard Foster. Coffie has his wits about him, maybe he should have thrown some punches back...”
Whyte: “I think it was early, Fabio could have sent a message. The referee has a job to do, but sometimes they’re edgy and nervous. They should let the fight go five to 10 more seconds. [Coffie] is slick, they ride a lot of shots.”
Fabio Wardley stops Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
The O2 Arena seems about 75 percent full as it stands.
Fabio Wardley stops Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Round 4
Wardley lands a cross to the body. Coffie’s corner are calling on him to breathe...
He eats a trio of right hooks to the head, though, while he’s backed up against the ropes!
Wardley pours on more punches, and they turn into an onslaught! Coffie isn’t defending himself especially intelligently, and the referee waves off the fight!
Fabio Wardley faces Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Round 3
As with the last round, Wardley is the first off his stool and in the centre of the ring. He looks fresher than Coffie.
And Wardley starts brightly, burying hooks into the body of Coffie, who fires back with hooks to the head! One appears to stun Wardley somewhat, and some crowd members express a bit of concern!
Warley ties up Coffie, though, buying himself time before separating. He catches Coffie on the end of a big right hand, as the American circles away.
The pair trade jabs now. A left hook gets through for Coffie, then a stinging jab. Sweat is dripping off the American, but he comes forward and tags Wardley with hooks to the ribs.
Fabio Wardley faces Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Round 2
Wardley fights behind the jab early in Round 2. He slips a jab from Coffie, then jabs to the body himself.
“Fabio, knock his f***ing head off, son!” comes a cry from the crowd, but the Briton eats a jab instead.
Forward comes Wardley, and the heavyweights trade harsh shots against the ropes.
Wardley tries a couple of hooks to the body, but he overshoots on both occasions as Coffie turns, and the punches hit the American’s back. He’ll still feel some effects, though.
Fabio Wardley faces Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Round 1
Coffie stands southpaw; Wardley orthodox. Wardley has a glittering ‘Ipswich Town FC’ message on his shorts.
Wardley belts Coffie with a massive overhand right almost at once! Coffie stays calm but is backed up to the ropes.
Now Coffie goes orthodox and catches Wardley on the very end of a jab.
A slower spell ensues, with a few fans becoming restless before starting to sing, “Oh, Fabio Wardley!”
Coffie with another jab. Wardley feints repeatedly but is grazed by an overhand right.
Clubbing right hook to the body by Wardley, who then slips an overhand right from Coffie.
Fabio Wardley faces Michael Polite Coffie on Joshua vs Franklin undercard
Great reaction for Wardley, who previously held the English title, now holds the British belt, and is eyeing the Continental strap here.
We’re under way!
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