Anthony Joshua has apologised for the chaotic post-fight scenes that followed his comeback victory over Jermaine Franklin.
Joshua cruised to a comfortable points win on his return to the ring following successive defeats by Oleksandr Usyk at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night, dominating a largely one-sided contest but failing to find the knockout that he so desired with a somewhat laboured showing against a durable American opponent.
Tensions boiled over massively after the final bell, with Joshua and Franklin continuing to fight and exchange angry words, with Joshua shoving him away before both teams and security piled into the ring to separate the duo in ugly scenes with more chaos seeming to develop at ringside.
Thankfully the situation was quickly defused, but still drew comparisons to the carnage that ensued after Joshua’s win over arch-nemesis Dillian Whyte at the same venue back in December 2015.
“Last time I grabbed the mic, it was a bit chaotic. So I’m calm,” Joshua told DAZN, referencing his regrettable outburst and behaviour following his second loss to Usyk in Saudi Arabia last summer.
“I appreciate every single person coming out this evening. Inside this squared circle, it’s a different type of energy in here.
“I apologise to anyone watching and seeing that type of stuff because we’re sportsmen. But I respect Jermaine, and I respect everyone here tonight.”
Joshua was relieved to have possibly saved his career by avoiding a fourth defeat in his last six fights, crediting Franklin for a determined display but still lamenting his failure to get the stoppage that many thought he needed to vault right back into title contention with eyes back on a potential massive showdown with WBC champion Tyson Fury later in 2023.
“It’s important to get the win,” he said. “Someone else will knock him out probably, from Britain I reckon. But Jermaine’s got a good duck and dive style.
“There were opportunities there, but he knew how to tuck up. Respect to him, he did well. Well done to him and his team for preparing. You know they were prepared for the fight.
“I should have knocked him out, but what can I say now? It’s done, onto the next.”
