Anthony Joshua (right) unleashes a right-hand on the American Jermaine Franklin during his heavyweight points victory. Photograph: James Chance/Getty Images
Anthony Joshua won his first fight in more than two years with a comprehensive points victory over a brave and resilient Jermaine Franklin. The gritty American disappointed Joshua’s supporters, who had been hoping for a sensational win by knockout, by lasting the full 12 rounds late on Saturday night, according to The Guardian.
All three judges scored the fight in Joshua’s favour by accurately decisive margins of 117-111, twice, and 118-111. Despite Franklin’s innate toughness, Joshua had expected to win the fight in far more thrilling style. Instead, he landed the overwhelming majority of telling blows but could not force a stoppage.
It was a decent but mildly underwhelming performance from the former world champion who lacks some of his old fire and conviction. Joshua is no longer a brutal finisher. Perhaps three defeats in his previous five bouts, before he faced Franklin, have left their mark and made him more apprehensive.
