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We take a look at where Saturday’s massive heavyweight fight could be won and lost, accompanied by what the bookies are saying!
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring this Saturday for the first time since back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
It’s been dubbed one of the most important fights of Joshua’s boxing career, and it is easy to see why.
Fighting inside London’s O2 Arena for the first time since 2016, this fight signals the Watford man’s return to the basics of boxing.
No titles on the line, no 80,000 stadium to fill and, importantly, no turning back.
Jermaine Franklin is the man in the opposite corner and has been priced as big as an 8/1 underdog to defeat “AJ” in his own back yard, but, experience tells the 33-year-old that he should always be wary of the unheralded underdog.
Let’s take a look at some of the possible outcomes on Saturday night:
Anthony Joshua to win by KO/TKO/Disqualification at 3/10 with bet365
If Anthony Joshua is to regain momentum in the heavyweight division then a convincing victory over Franklin is the only way to do so.
He has shown his ability to fight different fights over the past couple of years – most notably in rematches against Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk – but under new coach Derrick James, there will no doubt be a focus to seek and destroy.
Franklin survived 12 rounds in his November 2022 loss to Dillian Whyte but has never been stopped as a professional; he has also never been in with anyone who holds Joshua’s power.
Joshua will need to grab headlines with a victory on Saturday to push him back into the Tyson Fury conversation and a highlight reel knockout will be just the ticket at 3/10 with bet365.
Jermaine Franklin to win at 8/1 with bet365
Jermaine Franklin will be attempting to channel his inner Andy Ruiz this weekend.
At 8/1 with bet365 the 29-year-old is a big underdog, but, as the history books tell us time and time again, the heavyweight division is littered with upsets.
The air of invincibility around Joshua is no longer there – Franklin will know this better than anyone other than AJ himself.
If the American can further exploit the obvious chinks in the Briton’s armour then this may not be as one-sided as the odds suggest.
It will be a huge ask.
Franklin’s slow feet are tailor-made for AJ to counter and load up on the challenger.
Anthony Joshua to win in Rounds 1-3 at 5/1 with bet365
16 of Joshua’s 22 career wins have come during rounds 1-3.
Sure, a majority of these were in his formative years as a pro when the likes of Emanuele Leo and Hrvoje Kisicek were lined up in six-rounders, but it still underlines AJ’s explosiveness out of the blocks.
We still don’t know too much about Franklin and there is a high possibility that he freezes as the opening bell chimes in east London.
5/1 for Joshua to record a stoppage in the opening nine minutes of combat is priced favourably with bet365.
Both fighters to score a knockdown at 4/1 with bet365
Anthony Joshua was dropped four times by Andy Ruiz and once by Wladimir Klitschko – that’s five times more than Franklin has in his career.
But if Joshua flies out the traps then he could well be susceptible to an early drop via the fast hands of the American.
Both guys to taste the canvas in a heavyweight duel is always worth a look.
Fight to go the distance at 4/1 with bet365
Four of Joshua’s last seven outings have gone the whole 12 rounds and Franklin may well fight to survive in the latter part of Saturday’s contest.
He proved how hard his armour was to pierce against Dillian Whyte last year and without being hurt so far in his career looks well conditioned to absorb some heavyweight punishment.
Five of Franklin’s last six have gone the allotted distance.
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.