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  • Eddie Hearn Reveals Why Jermaine Franklin Was Picked As Anthony Joshua’S Comeback Opponent

Eddie Hearn reveals why Jermaine Franklin was picked as Anthony Joshua’s comeback opponent

Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn has revealed that the decision on Anthony Joshua’s next opponent “came down to the style”.

Joshua is coming off two consecutive defeats in convincing fashion against Oleksandr Usyk, who is one of the best southpaw fighters around today.

The Brit is now looking to rebuild his career and it has been confirmed that he will now be trained by Derrick James in the United States. He is a renowned coach who has worked with Errol Spence Jr and Jermell Charlo.
It is hoped that Joshua will fight three times this year and his first bout will be at the O2 Arena against Jermaine Franklin on April 1.

The American heavyweight was unbeaten as a professional heading into last year's loss on points to Dillian Whyte. Some felt that Franklin was hard done by on the scorecards and should have won.

Hearn has bigger fights in mind for Joshua later this year but his training team have insisted that he needed to fight an orthodox fighter after his battles with Usyk.

"Really it came down to the style," Hearn said via Matchroom Boxing's YouTube channel.

"You know, I think AJ's coming off the back of two fights against a southpaw - the best southpaw in boxing, in Oleksandr Usyk - and wanted an orthodox fighter.

"The training team really sort of looked at it and said: 'Look, if we're gonna go and fight [Deontay] Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Tyson Fury, there's no point in us going back and fighting a southpaw."

Joshua meanwhile has proclaimed that he is planning to "put on a show" for James when he faces Franklin in April.
"I want to put on a show and impress my coach as he has high standards," Joshua said.
"Franklin has a good style and a great attitude, which he has shown in recent fights.
"Mentally and physically, I feel ready. I'm looking forward to stepping back into the ring on April 1."

READ MORE: Dillian Whyte fumes with 'no offer' coming for Anthony Joshua fight and labels rival a 'coward'

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