Ahead of this evening’s highly anticipated fight at the O2 Arena, former cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson has blessed us with his prediction for Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin, and says it could be make or break for the former’s career.
Johnny Nelson Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin Prediction
The longest reigning cruiserweight world champion of all time Johnny Nelson, who now acts as a boxing analyst for a host of media outlets, says the prospect of defeat for Anthony Joshua could weigh heavy as he approaches his latest bout.
The former two-time heavyweight champion has suffered a steep decline as he likely enters the twilight of his career, and two successive defeats against Oleksandr Usyk means the 33-year-old finds himself in a post-title period with very little prospects.
Nevertheless, he comes up against American fighter Jermaine Franklin, whom Joshua is four years his senior. Although he tasted defeat against Dillian Whyte in his last bout, in which many observers were quick to point out he should have won, his overall record stands at 22 fights, winning 21 in the process and 14 by way of knockout.
Speaking ahead of what could signal the beginning of the end for Joshua, Nelson said: “My big question is this: Anthony Joshua, after losing two fights on the bounce, has had to relook at his confidence to think ‘who am I, do I belong here, do I want this?
“For Anthony Joshua that’s everything. Because he’s had to go through a bit of turmoil, mentally, emotionally and come to terms with the fact that he’s no longer the best fighter, officially, in the world.
“He’s got to get in the queue again like everybody else.”
A third defeat in a row would almost certainly bring the curtain down on any title prospects in the near future, but also once and for all throw the blanket on the fire for a formerly tantalising fight against Tyson Fury, which looks out of the question at this moment in time.
Nelson added: “If Anthony Joshua loses, he jacks it in. If he doesn’t jack it, he should jack it. Because it’s a hard mountain to climb.
Especially when you’ve had the success and the heights that he’s had. So he can’t afford to lose. That’s a must. Then from that, it’s confidence building.”
Anthony Joshua Vs Jermaine Franklin – Fight Information
- 🥊 Boxing Match: Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin
- 📊 Records: Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KO’s) | Jermaine Franklin (21-1, 14 KO’s)
- 📅 Date: Saturday 1st April, 2023
- 🕛 Main Event Time: Approx. 10.30PM GMT
- 🏆 Title: N/A
- 📺 TV Channel: UK: DAZN
- 🏟 Venue: O2 Arena | London, England, UK
- 🎲 Fight Odds: Joshua 1/10 | Franklin 15/2
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