Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is back in action on Saturday as he makes his UK return against Jermaine Franklin.
Joshua, 33, looks to pick up his first win over two years against Franklin having lost his unified heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021 and then failing to win them back in their rematch last August. Joshua's upcoming opponent Franklin went unbeaten in 20 professional fights but suffered defeat to Dillian Whyte in a controversial decision last November.
A win against Franklin could set up blockbuster fights against Whyte and Deontay Wilder for Joshua, according to the Brit's promoter Eddie Hearn. The undercard will feature unbeaten Brits such as Felix Cash and Fabio Wardley, so here's all you need to know about Joshua's return...
What date is Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin and what time will it start?
Joshua faces Franklin this Saturday, April 1, at The O2 arena in London. Ring walks for the fight, which marks the first time Joshua hasn't been booked in a world title bout for eight years, are expected to take place at around 10:30pm which the opening bell sounding shortly after that. The first fight on the undercard will get underway just after 6pm.
How to watch Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin via TV and live stream
The event will be shown exclusively live on DAZN, with no additional pay-per-view fee required to watch the heavyweight clash between Joshua and Franklin. A subscription to the streaming service costs £9.99 a month and you can start your subscription here. You can watch DAZN on multiple devices including laptop, smart TV and through the mobile app.
Full fight card
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Matteo Signani vs Felix Cash
Fabio Wardley vs Michael Polite Coffie
Austin Williams vs River Wilson-Bent
Campbell Hatton vs Louis Fielding
John Hedges vs Daniel Bocianski
Ziyad Almaayouf vs TBA
Peter Kadiru vs TBA
Juergen Uldedaj vs TBA
Who wins this Saturday - Anthony Joshua or Jermaine Franklin? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
Odds
Joshua 1/12
Franklin 6/1
Draw 25/1
*Odds from BetFred. Subject to changes.
Quotes corner
Joshua: "I actually rate him [Franklin], he's got moves and some skills. He's got a good jab and hook, don't underestimate the kid. It's going to be challenging but God willing I pass this test, it can lead to another test and eventually a mega-fight that people remember. It feels like a long time since I last fought, I have to take Jermaine Franklin probably more serious than I did Usyk."
Franklin: "The way they are pushing it in the media is that they're trying to use me for a tune-up fight, that's the narrative but it's the same one they used for when I fought Dillian Whyte. I'm not going to hold my head down about it but I know I've got to go in there and make a huge statement. It's an honour, this is a warrior's sport and I feel like all the warrior's should be competing against each other."
