Anthony Joshua next fight: Date, time and undercard for Jermaine Franklin bout
Anthony Joshua is back this April for his first fight since losing his unified world heavyweight title rematch to Oleksandr Usyk in August of last year.
The world heavyweight champion returns with a lower-ranked opponent to begin his journey back to the top of the heavyweight division, taking on American Jermaine Franklin at The O2 arena in London. Franklin most famously took Dillian Whyte to a controversial decision last year which he lost, despite many feeling he had done enough.
Joshua is expected to face Franklin in the first of three fights this year, with Whyte or Filip Hrgovic next before he goes for Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder come year's end. He has taken on a new trainer in Derrick James, and moved out to America where he can work without as many distractions as the UK, where he is a massive celebrity.
Here's all you need to know about the fight...
How to watch Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin via TV and live stream
Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin takes place at The O2 arena in London on April 1, with tickets priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150, £200, £300, £400 and £800 for VIP. If you want to attend Joshua's first bout at the famed arena since 2016, tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and AXS
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The event will be shown exclusively live on DAZN, with the main broadcast likely starting at 7pm in the UK. A subscription to DAZN costs £19.99 a month, or £9.99 with a 12-month commitment and £100 for a year upfront. You can purchase one here, and the bout is NOT a pay-per-view..
You can watch DAZN on multiple devices including laptop, smart TV and through the mobile app, with action able to be mirrored up to the TV via Chromecast.
Full fight card
MAIN EVENT: Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
Craig Richards vs Ricards Bolotniks - WBA Intercontinental Light-Heavyweight Title
Matteo Signani vs Felix Cash - EBU European Middleweight Title
Odds
Anthony Joshua: 1/12
Jermaine Franklin: 6/1
Quotes corner
Joshua: "I'm serious, focused and locked in. It's a serious fight, I respect all of my opponents so if he had the belts I'd take him the same way as if he doesn't have the belts. I've got to give the man his respect because he's coming to fight and that will make me keep my feet on the ground and take him seriously.
"I don't really mind where I box, if I'm honest with you. It's just a blessing to be involved in the sport, be working, this is another night at work. It's been a long time on the road fighting for championship belts, defending them, challenging people. I think it's 12 fights back-to-back championship fights.
"You see the development from Emmanuele Leo up until now and I've always tried to adapt my style and do different things because this sport, especially heavyweight boxing, it's about longevity. There's obviously the side of it where it's a lion in the jungle but at the same time it's the sweet science of hitting and not getting hit as well.
Boxing fans brand Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin decision "a disgrace"
Franklin: "I've always been confident in myself, I never lacked in confidence. But I've just been working, I got home and got right back in the gym [after the Whyte fight]. It was a messed up fight so I've just been in the gym working, waiting. I feel like I won the fight 7-5 from what I watched, but it's boxing. I won't cry about it, I know how that stuff goes.
"So it was just back to the drawing board for me, trying to get back in shape and look for different aspects, different ways to attack, different points to my game and just overall improvement. I believe I can beat anybody, there's never a doubt in my mind. If you doubt yourself you're in the wrong sport.
"As a man, he's a man just like I am, he bleeds just like I do so I have the confidence that I can pull this victory out. It would be an excellent moment for my career but I've got the will, I've got the heart for it so I'm ready to go to war as always."
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