Joshua vs Franklin Predictions: We're backing AJ to get up and win by KO

Adam Roberts

Mar 30

There is a huge Heavyweight fight on Saturday evening, where we have the Betfred sponsored fight between Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin. As always, we've previewed this one and given you our suggested bets...

Joshua vs Franklin Predictions

Anthony Joshua to win by KO/TKO/DQ/Technical Decision - 2/7
Anthony Joshua to be knocked down and win - 8/1

Bet on Joshua vs Franklin with Betfred here

The Anthony Joshua story continues on Saturday night, with the popular British Heavyweight at a real crossroads in his career.

The 33-year-old has already promised to retire if he doesn't win this weekend and you get the feeling that if he loses this one, he won't have anywhere to go.

Back-to-back losses against Oleksandr Usyk have left many questioning how good Joshua actually ever was and whether he has any future in the heavyweight division.

The only way he can answer back, is with a return to some of the AJ performances of old and a devastating knock out in front of a hometown audience.

Safe to say the public haven't bought into this fight as much as some of Joshua's previous fights and there have been reports of slow ticket sales at the huge O2 Arena.

For a man who used to sell out the nearby Wembley Stadium in less than five minutes, it must be galling to see how his career has nose dived.

The choice of American Jermaine Franklin as a comeback opponent has been question by those in the 'hardcore' boxing community but he probably earnt this fight of the back of an excellent performance against Dillian Whyte.

Several observers had the previously unbeaten Franklin as the points victor, belying the 116-112 scorecards by two of the judges. The sole judge who scored it as a draw was probably much nearer the mark.

Joshua is certainly taking the fight seriously and ended the Robert Garcia experiment after just one fight.

Instead, he has plumped for the services of Derrick James in his corner, who led Errol Spence Jr. and Jermell Charlo to multiple belts.

Does AJ have the hunger back to retain his place at the top of the heavyweight tree or will the upstart American put a final nail in the coffin of Anthony Joshua? Let's find out...

Where and when is the fight taking place?

The fight is happening at the O2 Arena on Saturday 1st April and will be broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN. The event will be a Eddie Hearn promotion for Matchroom Boxing. The show will start at 7pm, with the main ring walk taking place at around 10.15pm.

What does the full fight card look like?

Main event: Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Fabio Wardley vs Michael Polite Coffie
Galal Yafai vs Moises Calleros
Campbell Hatton vs Louis Fielding
Austin Williams vs River Wilson-Bent
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

(subject to change)

Who's the favourite?

Anthony Joshua is a massive 1/12 favourite, with Jermaine Franklin out at 7/1 to pull off the mother of all shocks. The draw is available at 25/1.

What's been said?

(Speaking to Betfred's Lightweight Boxing Show)

Joshua:

"I'm relaxed, I trust in my coach and I trust in the process.

The way the Heavyweight division is going, If I go out there and look a million dollars, I'm the next one in line!

(Franklin) is a top guy, it's a good fight to test myself, my new trainer, my new mindset.

Franklin:

"I'm ready to show the world why it's time for me to take my place at the top of the Heavyweight division.

Joshua had his time. It's my time to shock the world! This fight isn't going to the judge's card. I will have win number 22 come April 1. That ain't no April Fool's joke."

Boxing Odds

Anthony Joshua to win by KO/TKO/DQ/Technical Decision - 2/7

Anthony Joshua to be knocked down and win - 8/1

*All prices correct at the time of writing.