Before returning to the ring, Joshua ignores Franklin’s knockout threat
British boxer Anthony Joshua dismissed Jermaine Franklin’s promise to knock him out in their fight on Saturday, saying the American had chosen the “worst time” to take on Joshua.
This weekend, Joshua will compete at London’s O2 Arena in his eagerly anticipated comeback.
The 33-year-old is seeking his first victory since 2020 after several losses to Oleksandr Usyk caused the former Olympic champion to drop multiple iterations of the world heavyweight title and then fail to win them back.
For the first time in eight years, Joshua won’t be competing for a world championship.
The worst possible time to confront me is now, Joshua told reporters on Wednesday.
He digs a deeper trench for himself the more he talks, but that is what it is. Although I admire my opponent, I could say a lot of negative things about him.
“It’s not my place to speak; you should speak exclusively, and I should perform my duties on Saturday. Since the first round to the last, that is the main thing I have been concentrating on.
Joshua has a professional record of 24 wins, 22 knockout victories, and three losses. Ahead of this weekend’s fight, Dallas-based Derrick James has replaced Robert Garcia as Joshua’s trainer.
He said he was relishing his return to action in front of a home crowd following the collapse of a heavyweight title unification bout between British rival Tyson Fury and Ukraine’s Usyk.
Nonetheless, there will be entertainment. I believe there will be blood, and I can’t wait to return there “Jeremiah stated.
“I’m thrilled to be fighting once more because, if you look at the current champions, it is a complete mess to try to compete with mandates and negotiations.
“Honestly, I can’t believe there haven’t been any championship-level battles made.”
Franklin highlighted that he is more prepared for this bout despite his close loss to Dillian Whyte at Wembley Arena in November.
“I’m more prepared, more physically fit, and ready to let off the fireworks. I’ll use every strategy at my disposal to win “said he.
AFP
