After a near eight-month absence, Saturday sees Anthony Joshua make his return to the ring at the O2 Arena in London.
Following on from his rematch loss against Oleksandr Usyk last August, Joshua goes back to the drawing board as he faces relative unknown, Jermaine Franklin.
Facing a fourth all-American opponent in his career, AJ looks to go back to basics and to his prior 20-fight stoppage victory streak.
Joshua’s road back
A former two-time heavyweight champion of the world, the road to redemption could be a lengthy one for the Briton.
Now 33, the AJ feel-good factor amongst boxing fans has rather soured toward the Watford native in recent times.
Not only in the light of another failed attempt to conclude a blockbuster deal to fight Tyson Fury but his outburst in defeat to Usyk last time out.
This could yet be Joshua’s final trip on his journey back to the top.
Opting to face the little known ‘989 Assassin’, AJ is here putting his reputation on the line.
Franklin no mug
His decision to fight the Michigan boxer has raised many eyebrows.
Not only is Franklin a name unlikely to capture the public eye, the American may have previously gone 21-0 unbeaten but his record was hardly stellar.
But with that said, his only defeat to date came against Joshua’s long-time rival, Dillian Whyte, at Wembley last Autumn.
Though recorded a majority loss, many considered Franklin had done enough in the contest to secure at least a draw. Indeed, some had him the winner.
Franklin can punch and given the questions over Joshua’s rather questionable defence, this could yet be a awkward evening.
The pressure is all on Joshua here and whilst few are expecting a difficult night, quite simply, anything but an emphatic stoppage win in the capital will keep his critics knocking at the door.
BestofBets
Joshua will of course be expected to finish the job early in London and for Franklin to be knocked down in rounds 1-3, a 3/1 price with William Hill looks decent value.
If an upset is what you want and can see on the cards, the same bookie will again oblige with Franklin to win by either KO, TKO or DQ at a sizeably boosted 12/1 from 10s.
For Joshua to hit the canvas just once alone meanwhile, another 3/1 punt this time with PariMatch, could interest even his doubters.
Anthony Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena, London, on Saturday night with ringwalks at approximately 22:30 BST
