
Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will face American Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena on April 1.
Joshua is returning to the ring after two successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, with the British fighter’s most recent loss against the Ukrainian coming last August in Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old takes on Franklin in search of his first victory since beating Kubrat Pulev in 2020.
Reigning WBC champion Tyson Fury held talks with Joshua’s camp over an all-British bout but no deal was reached, leaving Franklin as the first opponent on Joshua’s comeback trail.
Joshua, a two-time world champion, confirmed the contest in a tweet which contained a poster for the fight and read: “A new dawn.”
Joshua was ringside in November when Franklin lost to Dillian Whyte at Wembley Arena, the first defeat of the American’s 22-fight career.
There had been speculation prior to Joshua’s split-decision defeat against Usyk last year that the former Olympic champion might be set to quit boxing.
However, the third loss of Joshua’s career has not brought the curtain down and he will return to fight at the O2 Arena for the first time since 2016.
Author

World Cup News
-
Football
/ 2 weeks agoMorocco says joining Spain-Portugal 2030 World Cup bid
King Mohammed VI of Morocco announced on Tuesday that his country had joined the...
By AFP -
Football
/ 2 weeks agoUpdate: World Cup 2026 to feature 12 groups of four teams
The expanded 2026 men’s World Cup in North America will start with 12 groups...
By AFP -
Football
/ 2 weeks agoArgentina goalie auctions World Cup gloves for $45K for cancer hospital
The gloves worn by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez in the nail-biting penalty shootout...
By AFP -
Football
/ 2 months agoMessi says World Cup trophy ‘called out’ to him
Lionel Messi won the World Cup because the sparkling solid gold trophy picked him...
By AFP

EURO 2024 qualifiers
Ibrahimovic, 41, beaten by Gibraltar player as Euros’ golden oldie

More Sports
Drone threat hovers over Paris Olympics

EURO 2024 qualifiers
Mbappe gets off to winning start as France captain

Winter Olympics
Watch: Geisenberger wins sixth Olympic medal to tie luge record
