Anthony Joshua wins, but leaves his trainer and himself wanting more

Anthony Joshua used his long left to win a workman-like decision over Jermaine Franklin Saturday night at O2 Arena in London, England.

Scores were 118-111, 117-111 twice for Joshua

In round one, both heavyweights jabbed. Joshua’s was more substantial. Franklin fired a right. Joshua’s round on the strength of his left—though his nose was bleeding.

Joshua (25-3, 22 KOs) clipped Franklin with a right in round two. Franklin fought back against the much bigger Joshua. A right landed. Joshua went to the body. 

Franklin (21-2, 14  KOs) began round three jabbing. Joshua clipped the jaw of Franklin twice. Franklin was slightly busier. He landed to the body but ate a right to the gut.

In round four, Franklin barked at Joshua. He ate another stiff jab but caught Joshua with a right. Joshua came back with a half-uppercut that landed. His jab continued to score, but his reluctance to mix it up was glaring. 

Franklin’s right eye showed damage. Joshua scored with a right to the head in round five. Franklin fired back. 

Joshua’s edge in power was evident. In round six, Joshua fired a one-two. Franklin took it and countered. Joshua connected with a right and uppercut.  

Franklin was told by his corner, “He needed to work more to win.” before round seven commenced.

Joshua went to the body. He scored with a double jab. Franklin was short with a combination. Joshua clipped Franklin with a one-two and held. Joshua scored with an uppercut in round eight. He followed with a hard right to the chin. Franklin didn’t move. Both fighters were holding. 

In round nine, the holding continued. Joshua fired an inside right. Franklin wasn’t doing much. He did land an overhand right. An uneventful round. Joshua walked to Franklin in round 10. His new trainer, Derrick James, had shown Joshua what he wanted. Combinations.

His corner told Franklin that he needed to sweep the last three rounds. Joshua landed an uppercut. The heavyweights tussled on the ropes; Joshua landed more often. 

Joshua was likely well ahead on the cards heading to round 11. Joshua landed a crunching left hook to the belly. Franklin clipped Joshua with a right. Joshua absorbed it and clinched. 

In the 12^th and final round, Franklin fired a long left. Joshua landed a couple of hard shots with a minute to go. Franklin looked exhausted.

“Jermaine’s got a good duck-and-dive style,” said Joshua in the ring. “There was opportunities there, but he knew how to tuck up. Respect to him–he done well. I respect him for that. Well done to him and his team for preparing. They were very well prepared for the fight. I shoulda knocked him out, but what can I say now? It’s done. On to the next.