Joshua takes Vital Win Over Franklin

Anthony Joshua beat Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night, an essential victory for the former champion's future progression.

After a painful loss in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last year, former champion Joshua was looking for his first victory since 2020 against Jermaine Franklin in London.

He had to win against the tough American and took a clear unanimous decision, 118-111 and 117-111 twice.

Franklin is a tough American heavyweight who had only lost once in 22 professional bouts and that was a close-fought majority decision defeat to Dillian Whyte in November.

While this fight was his first without at least one world title on the line in seven years, for Joshua it was still one of his most crucial. The result would determine the future direction of his career.

A third consecutive loss, for a star of Joshua's calibre, would have left his further aspirations in tatters. In the build up to the contest he himself said he would retire, such were the stakes for him going into this fight.

A win, however, would propel him back once again towards his more accustomed place at the upper end of the heavyweight division.