‘He’s not the same guy anymore’: Pros react to Joshua’s win over Franklin
Anthony Joshua’s return against Jermaine Franklin received mixed reviews.
Anthony Joshua got the W today over Jermaine Franklin, but how much did he really impress?
The win came by unanimous decision, absolutely no question about who deserved the duke, but Joshua himself admitted he “should have knocked (Franklin) out” in his post-fight interview, and some of the pros out there watching didn’t seem too enthused with AJ’s performance, either, or with the little scuffle with Franklin and his team after the fight was over.
“Joshua is not the same guy anymore,” heavyweight contender Otto Wallin said. “His head is gone and the stuff after the fight shows it even more. He’s feeling too much pressure.”
Teddy Atlas, longtime trainer, analyst, and broadcaster, didn’t see much different in Joshua under new trainer Derrick James.
“No change in Joshua with new trainer,” Atlas wrote. “He’s a typical English fighter, very picturesque, but you can hit him standing tall.”
Here are some more early reactions from boxing Twitter:
Joshua is not the same guy anymore. His head is gone and the stuff after the fight shows it even more. He’s feeling too much pressure
— Otto Wallin (@OttoWallin) April 1, 2023
No change in Joshua with new trainer, he’s a typical English style fighter, very picturesque, but you can hit him standing talk. #JoshuaFranklin
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) April 1, 2023
Joshua should've stuck with Robert Garcia, IMO. Building Chemistry takes time and effort. You learn more in ONE good loss than two plain wins.
— Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) April 1, 2023
AJ came in at his heaviest ever. We all thought he'd have to win in the first half, but his engine was better than we've ever seen it ♂️
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) April 1, 2023
Martin Bakole beats AJ.
— Alex Arthur AAA (@AlexArthur1) April 1, 2023
117-111 about right it was competitive but Aj pulled away 2nd half but he looked gun shy his punches at times were coming back faster than they were going out has to rid that mentality
— Enzo Maccarinelli (@theRealEnzoMac) April 1, 2023
Joshua does not need to be fighting Fury or Wilder next! No way he needs another few confidence builders. Whyte or Joyce
— Darren Reay (@DarrenReay007) April 1, 2023
Can’t win AJ can he, goes out and has a gunslinging fight & everyone says how raw and novicey he is. And goes out tonight and gets behind the jab & he’s a shadow of himself. Thought he boxed well at times, but a part of me wanted him to have it
— Tom Farrell (@TomFarrell89) April 1, 2023
Shout out to Franklin homie was fighting all of Britain
— BIGBABYMILLER (@BIGBABYMILLER) April 1, 2023
SAID IT SINCE DAY AJ BEEN A BI$&@@DAZNBoxing Love y’all but step y’all game up
AJ just be cool when the final bell rings bruh. ♂️
— Gabriel Rosado (@KingGabRosado) April 1, 2023
It looks easy from the outside but once in them ropes it’s different game , I thought the performance was perfect for aj , opponent was perfect 12 good rounds , and looked the fittest he’s been
— derry mathews (@derrymathews23) April 1, 2023
Joshua was dominant but he did get away with a lot in this fight. A lot of holding in the second half, holding behind the head and hitting, stuff he won’t be able to do and be victorious against a Fury or a Wilder. #JoshuaFranklin
— Mykal(Michael) Fox (@ProfessorMyke) April 1, 2023
Fantastic to see AJ back to winning ways, a phenomenal career… however after the double loses to USKY he seemed a little less destructive!#JoshuaFranklin
— Conrad Cummings (@ChampCummings) April 1, 2023