One-time heavyweight contender Jermaine Franklin knows better than anyone that a win over former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is very likely to lead him to a world title. After losing the close and controversial decision to Dillian White, Michigan’s Franklin says he’ll capitalize on Joshua’s shortcomings — ones that Franklin says he’ll look forward to seeing still exist despite AJ’s staycation with another new coach in Derrick James.
Speaking with Metro, Franklin, 21-1 (14), said he’ll “wake up” more fans with a winning performance on April 1st.
Franklin said in response to critics who see him as nothing more than an adversary to Joshua.
“I have to wake up more people. A win definitely takes me out there and puts me in the world title conversation. A win here, maybe a couple more after that, gives me that title, but this win definitely puts me in the conversation. Some of them are.” [flaws] It did clean up a bit but some [Joshua] He still has. So if he can’t clean them up in the Derrick James camp, we’ll definitely take advantage of them. You never know what kind of fighter you’ll be up against or what kind of fight you’ll be in.”
This fight must be won by both men. Another loss that, in the opinion of some, would end Joshua’s time as an elite fighter. For Franklin, a second loss would send him to the back of the line as far as getting more chances for the big fight. As a result, fans are hoping to see a good fight on April 1st. Franklin showed his strength and ability in the Wyatt fight – this is a fight Franklin feels he won, as he has “hundreds and hundreds” of fans messaged him saying he won the fight – which is not an easy sign for Joshua.
Can AJ, 24-3 (22), improve under recent head coach James, or has the former two-time champ reached his peak, now as good as he’ll ever get? Will Franklin be able to fight his battle on April 1st? Will we ever see a KO one way or another? There are actually quite a few questions playing out in this fight.
