Former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton expects big things from former two-time unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22KOs) this upcoming Saturday as he takes on Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14KOs) at the O2 Arena, London. Joshua returns to the ring following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, while Franklin returns following his controversial points loss to Dillian Whyte.
Frampton, however, states that Joshua needs to win in style and that a points win is not good enough. Frampton also says that Joshua should call out WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24KOs) if he is successful.
“Anthony Joshua has to not only beat Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena on Saturday, but he also has to win in style. A points win is not good enough. I want to see him get rid of Franklin early, stand in the ring and call out Tyson Fury. Fury-Joshua is still huge. A massive fight not just for British boxing but also on a global stage,” Frampton told BBC Sport.
Carl believes that Franklin is a good opponent choice and feels that Franklin did enough to get the victory over Dillian Whyte in his performance late last year. Furthermore, Frampton thinks that the recent appointment of Derrick Edwards as Joshua’s new coach is also an excellent move for Joshua.
“This is the perfect type of fight for Joshua to come back to - an opponent who is credible enough. I actually thought Franklin beat Dillian Whyte in his last fight, although he didn’t get the decision,” Frampton explained.
“But in terms of a heavyweight boxer, he’s got 22 fights with 14 knockouts. It’s a nice ratio for a featherweight but not necessarily for a heavyweight. Linking up with Derrick James and basing his training camp in Texas is a good move for Joshua and perhaps one he should have done before now. Get away from the UK and from home comforts - have that camp mentality and not so many yes men around you.”
