American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin is excited at the potential of getting in the ring to face Europe’s boxing megastar Anthony Joshua.
According to Insider, a source with knowledge of the situation for the prospective Matchroom event, which would be broadcast in the US on DAZN, says a Joshua vs Franklin show is on the cards but not 100% confirmed.
“Jermaine wants that fight, and he’s hungry for the opportunity,” Franklin’s promoter Dmitriy Salita told Insider.
Franklin was a relative unknown until 2022, when he was called upon to fight Dillian Whyte at Wembley Arena in London, on November 26.
Despite an underdog’s status, the 29-year-old tested Whyte throughout the 12-round contest and lost a majority decision to the British boxer.
“Hearing that decision is kind of crazy to me,” Franklin told reporters immediately after the defeat. “I thought it was bullshit. I think I got robbed.”
MLive, a Michigan publication near Franklin’s hometown Saginaw, called the result a “controversial decision.”
For Salita, Franklin has “shown that he can go thousands of miles from home, perform at the highest level, and win. Nine out of 10 people thought he won that Dillian Whyte fight.”
Though a deal is not yet agreed upon, Salita and Franklin are keen to proceed and get it over the line.
“He definitely wants this opportunity to fight Anthony Joshua,” Salita said.
“We’ve had discussions with Matchroom about Jermaine over the last several weeks, but nothing official has been done.”
Franklin has a pro boxing record of 21 wins (14 knockouts) against one defeat. Joshua’s pro boxing record is 24 wins (22 knockouts) against three losses.
Like Franklin, Joshua, too, is looking to rebound after recent setbacks, as he dropped back-to-back fights to pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua’s appeal as a ticket-seller and box office attraction in Britain and outside the English shores, though, remains untouched.
