How to watch Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Jermaine Franklin confirmed as Anthony Joshua comeback opponent
BBN have provided viewers with all the details below to tune in and watch the return of Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22KO) as he makes a comeback against American contender Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14KO) on the 91st day of the year.
Full details below:
Date
The fight takes place on Saturday, April 1.
Time
The event begins at 4pm, then the main card starts from 7pm.
Venue
It takes place at the O2 Arena, London.
Rounds scheduled
12 three-minute rounds at heavyweight (+200lbs).
Titles
There are no titles on the line.
Ringwalks
The ring walks are expected from around 10pm UK time, but that will depend on the undercard results.
TV & Live Stream
The action starts on 'Before the Bell' at 4pm on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel and DAZN App.
You can watch the main card via the DAZN App from 7pm, which can be streamed via phone, tablet, PlayStation, XBox, or smart TV.
BBN will be providing LIVE round-by-round results on fight night HERE
Price
DAZN subscription costs £19.99 per month.
Tickets
Tickets for are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300, £400 and £800 (VIP). More details HERE
Undercard Highlights
South London ‘Spider’ Craig Richards (17-3-1, 10KO) will face Ricards Bolotniks (19-6-1, 8KO) for the WBA Intercontinental Light-Heavyweight Title. The 175-pounders were originally scheduled to face fight on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s close points win over Jermaine Franklin last November but the Crystal Palace puncher was forced to withdraw after falling ill during fight week.
Bolotniks holds wins over Hosea Burton and Steven Ward, and was last in action in April 2022, decisioning Hrvoje Sep over eight rounds in Barcelona, Spain. 32-year-old Richards' last two fights took place at the O2, which included a stopage win over Marek Matyja in 2021, followed by a close UD points defeat to undefeated Joshua Buatsi in 2022. Prior to that, the world title contender took pound-for-pound great Dmitriy Bivol the distance, with one judge scoring the bout 114-115 against.
Background
Both heavyweights are coming into the fight off a loss, aiming to get back to winning ways.
AJ lost back to back fights with generational great, Oleksandr Usyk, and Franklin was narrowly defeated by Dillian Whyte in November.
33-year-old Joshua is a former two-time world heavyweight champion, looking to make it three-time. Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the plan to fight three times this year starting with this comeback fight with Franklin, followed by a rematch with Dillian Whyte in the summer, culminating in a big showdown with Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury to close the year in style.
The 29-year-old American will present a tough test for AJ, having taken world title contender Whyte all the way to a mixed decision verdict late last year, in a contest where many thought the '989 Assassin' did enough to win, especially as the stats proved he outlanded Whyte 165 punches to 144.
Now familiar to the British public and respected for his performance against Whyte, Franklin will provide Joshua with a difficult but winnable fight.
Predictions
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: “Franklin was able to give Dillian Whyte a really hard time in their bout. He's got a great jab, good chin, is a decent all-rounder, doesn't shy away from a firefight, not a great deal of power which will suit Joshua, and didn't looked fazed in his first big occasion headlining at The O2. He has a decent amateur pedigree behind him and wants to fight against anybody, so he's a respectable opponent. I think Joshua's new choice of coach, Derrick James, is going to whip him into shape, give him some world class expertise, discipline and direction, and bring him a new lease of life. Franklin took a few big shots from Whyte, but even in that last round when he looked spent he was still able to fight back bravely, never overwhelmed or out of his depth, so I expect him to be a good competitor for a few rounds. Joshua always looks improved after a loss, he was a better fighter in both the Ruiz and Usyk rematches. He should come out showing some refined technique and boxing skills acquired from his new corner for the first few rounds, then I'm expecting AJ to up the pace and win by knockout with his greater power around the mid-rounds onwards.”
Rankings
Joshua: WBC #5 / WBA #4 / IBF #4 / WBO #5 / IBO #1 / BoxRec #3
Franklin: WBC #28 / WBO #12 / IBO #41 / BoxRec #29
Betway Betting Odds
1/10 Joshua
6/1 Franklin
22/1 Draw
Weights
Check back here one day before fight night.
Running Order
Main Event:
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
12×3 Heavyweight contest
Craig Richards vs Ricards Bolotniks
12×3 WBA Inter-Contonental light-heavyweight contest
Matteo Signani vs Felix Cash
12×3 European middleweight title
