By: Sean Crose
It’s the day before the weekend and the eyes of the boxing world are on former WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. On Saturday, at London’s O2 arena, the towering Briton will return to the ring for the first time since dropping a decisive pair to highly skilled Alexandr Usyk. People are curious to know if Joshua has what it takes to come back from such a serious decline in his career. After all, when he lost the title to Andy Ruiz in 2019, Joshua came back and beat Ruiz before the year was over. However, he failed in his attempt to regain the title against Usyk last summer.
One man marginalized by all the press attention Joshua is currently getting is Joshua’s rival this weekend, American Jermaine Franklin. Although he’s been playing professionally since the spring Mayweather and Pacquiao have finally competed, the Michigan 21-1 hasn’t received much attention for himself. Indeed, Franklin lost to Dillian Whyte last November and it was the first real test this man has faced. With that in mind, people are openly wondering if Joshua sill has what it takes to stay at the top of heavyweight.
“I will retire if I lose,” Joshua recently stated. “I am not here to fight people. If people want me to retire, I will retire.” Those aren’t exactly inspirational words. However, Joshua 24-3 is nothing if not an opponent. He’s also an underrated fighter. Sure, Wladimir Klitschko was past his prime when he fought Joshua in 2017, but it was a very good Klitschko who fought Joshua that night – and Joshua came out victorious. Combine that with the fact that he literally changed his fighting style to win the rematch against Ruiz and it’s easy to see why Joshua should still be loved by boxers, fans and fans alike. and valued by analysts.
Franklin, though, knows he has a lifetime opportunity ahead of him tomorrow. If he can beat the former famous player, the world could be his oyster. “I fear no one but God,” he tweeted on Friday. “Tomorrow I will shock the world.” Of course, Anthony Joshua may have something to say about that. With new coach Derek James in his corner, the Londoner knows he has to be at his best when he walks in. And a determined Joshua can be a very dangerous Joshua.
