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Anthony Joshua will return to the ring this evening for the first time since losing back-to-back fights against Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua is searching for his first win since 2020 and takes on American Jermaine Franklin in London, live on talkSPORT.
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Follow full coverage of Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin HERE
After losing three of his last five fights, ‘AJ’ will be out to repair his reputation when he takes on Franklin who heads into this bout following defeat to Dillian Whyte.
This fight will only be the second time the ‘989 Assassin’ has taken to the ring in the UK and he will be aiming to spoil the former two-time heavyweight champion’s comeback.
And ahead of the bout, Joshua tipped the scales at a career-heaviest 255.4lbs (115.8kg) and was 21lbs heavier than Franklin, who came in at 234.1lbs (106.2kg).
Joshua vs Franklin: How to watch
This 12-round heavyweight fight will take place on Saturday, April 1.
The fight will be held at The O2 Arena in London with the main undercard getting underway at 7pm before the Joshua vs Franklin ringwalks at around 10:30pm.
It will be shown live on DAZN with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Fans can sign up to DAZN for only £9.99 per month to watch the bout live at DAZN.com or via the DAZN app. More details here.
Alternatively, DAZN subscribers that have a HD-enabled Sky box can register to watch the fight on DAZN 1 HD on channel 429 on Sky here.
Joshua vs Franklin: How to listen
talkSPORT will have live commentary of the fight with coverage beginning at 9pm.
Fight Night coverage will begin at 7pm on talkSPORT 2 before switching to talkSPORT for the main event at 9PM.
Our team at the O2 Arena will include Spencer Oliver, Adam Catterall, Gareth A Davies and match commentator Andy Clarke, who will deliver punch-by-punch commentary live from London.
talkSPORT.com will also be running a live blog of all the action.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
u can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
AFP
Joshua vs Franklin: Undercard
Subject to change
- Main event: Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
- Fabio Wardley vs Michael Polite Coffie
- Galal Yafai vs Moises Calleros
- Austin Williams vs River Wilson-Bent
- Campbell Hatton vs Louis Fielding
- John Hedges vs Daniel Bocianski
- Jordan Flynn vs Kane Barker
- Juergen Uldedaj vs Benoit Huber
- Ziyad Almaayouf vs Georgi Velichkov
- Peter Kadiru vs Alen Lauriolle
Joshua vs Franklin: What has been said?
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has sent a warning to AJ’s doubters ahead of his return to the ring next month.
Hearn said: “I wanna say one thing – get ready for the return of Anthony Joshua.
“He comes off the back of one good fight with Usyk and one where he was dominated, he’s fought the pound-for-pound number one back-to-back.
“The disrespect on this man’s name is unbelievable. And I don’t care at the end of the day.
“But what I’m telling you people who wanna downplay his achievements, people who want to say he’s finished in the sport – get f***ing ready for the return of Anthony Joshua on April 1.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
“Because this guy is in Texas, he’s working and grinding every day. This guy’s got money in the bank, he’s got world championship belts on the wall, he don’t care for either of them.
“He cares for the sport of boxing, he cares for regaining his world heavyweight title and I’m telling you he’s coming back with vengeance.
“Anyone who wants to doubt Anthony Joshua, this guy is a fine young man that is about to make an assault on the world heavyweight title again.
“And I can’t wait. I’m so excited. I’m more excited than when this journey began. Write him off at your peril.”
Betting
See talkSPORT BET’s odds boosts and offers for Joshua v Franklin HERE
Showdown Saturday on talkSPORT
On Saturday 1 April, it’s all kicking off on talkSPORT.
12:30pm: Starting the day, Man City host Liverpool in a key Premier League game.
3pm: Crystal Palace vs Leicester sees the return of Roy Hodgson to the Selhurst Park dugout.
7pm: Build-up begins for the heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin as AJ starts his route back to the top.
What. A. Day.
You can tune in to talkSPORT via our free online streaming service at talkSPORT.com, DAB digital radio, download the talkSPORT app, or ask your smart speaker to play talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2. talkSPORT is also widely available across the UK on 1089 or 1053 AM.