Anthony Joshua laboured to a points win over Jermaine Franklin
Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin failed to set The O2 on fire in London last night after a rather unenventful 12 rounds.
Post-fight the former two-time world champ called out heavyweight rivals Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, but after his latest performance, many are a little concerned for his lofty ambitions.
Here's what was said in the aftermath of his points victory:
Dillian Whyte, World title contender: "Joshua has lost all his aggression and killer instincts. The ability is still there, the boxing is still there – he looks the part. But every time Franklin shaped up like he was going to hit him, he hesitated. I’ve never seen him like that, he’s a bit shell-shocked.
"The last few rounds Joshua was very hesitant. Signs of fighter who doesn’t want to do it anymore. If he doesn’t want to do it anymore, I think he should stop."
Carl Frampton, Two-weight world champion: "If there’s confidence issues over his engine, going the distance in a reasonably high-paced fight will do Joshua the world of good.
"AJ came in at his heaviest ever. We all thought he'd have to win in the first half, but his engine was better than we've ever seen it. He looked to be punching at the target rather than through it. Two weeks off, then straight back to Texas with Derrick James. Good win."
Barry McGuigan, Former world champion: "Yes, I watched AJ and I'm sorry to say, in my opinion, he is no longer capable of winning the world title. He still looks physically imposing but he's got zero trust in his punch resistance and he's not going to beat any of the top fighters, I'm afraid."
Carl Froch, Former world super-middleweight champion, "In the ring at world title level he’s been there, done the business. And now I don’t know. What motivates him?
"We talked about it, he wants the money. I don’t understand why he’s fighting. I just don’t. It’s a dangerous sport. Money can’t be the motivation when you’ve earned over £100m.
"I've not seen anything in that performance that he wants to be a world champion again. Dillian Whyte, based on that performance, would fancy the Joshua fight.
"AJ gets the win, but for me, not convincing enough."
Danny Connor, Former Southern Area champion: "I'd like to have seen more punches thrown but new trainer, new strategy, new AJ."
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: "Joshua needed a convincing victory to send a message to the rest of the heavyweight division and he failed to do that, in my opinion. To watch an AJ fight and describe it as boring and uneventful shows how different he has become from the wrecking machine he used to be. If that's the current version of Anthony Joshua after a Derrick James training camp then it's appears his capacity for improvement is limited. He was cautious, inaccurate and looked a little gunshy. There was none of the explosiveness that I was expecting, so it was a disappointing performance, but I am glad he got back to winning ways. Being optimistic, that's just the one fight with Derrick, maybe a second camp together will bring more out of him gradually. I hope so because I want to see AJ well and truly in the mix again.
"However, It's quite clear he won't beat Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder after that performance. I believe there's still big fights out there for him, such as a Dillian Whyte rematch or the trilogy with Andy Ruiz Jr. but Usyk, Wilder and Fury, as well as Joe Joyce are all going to be too much for him. Personally, I think the Dillian Whyte rematch in the summer, then a trilogy with Andy Ruiz Jr. should be the plan for this year. If he wins both, then start talking about Fury and Wilder then, even Usyk again, but he's not ready for them now."
Everything Boxing: "People definitely need to put some respect on Jermaine Franklin's name, solid contender."
Nick Peet, Boxing journalist: "AJ well and truly rebuilding from the ground up. Tonight’s version isn’t a leading contender. Long road back for AJ."
Fans
@TomGill1533: Something not right with AJ. Looked like he doesn’t want to do this anymore. I mean, he’s clearly won, the scorecards are pretty much bang on, & let’s not pretend that Fury has never bored his way to a comfortable victory before, but this version of AJ looks distracted.@Ghxstt_: People think he’s finished cuz he didn’t get the KO? Why is he finished?
@r3ggers81: Stuck between styles, massively! He’s had 3 different trainers for his last 3 fights, so that’s to be expected. Fighting behind the jab and just looks awkward! Trying to get him to box takes away his best asset when he went in there to blast people out.
Odds for Joshua's next opponent
Dillian Whyte rematch: 10/11
Filip Hrgovic: 3/1
Deontay Wilder: 6/1
Tyson Fury: 8/1
Oleksandr Usyk trilogy: 16/1
BBN's Top 5 Heavyweights
1. Tyson Fury
2. Oleksandr Usyk
3. Deontay Wilder
4. Joe Joyce
5. Andy Ruiz Jr
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