Anthony Joshua came through a bruising and bloody battle against Jermaine Franklin to get back to winning ways.
It wasn’t the statement performance to really reignite the British heavyweight star’s career but he was a comfortable winner on the cards. This is potentially the final chapter of the two-time world champion’s time in the ring and there will be bigger tests to come than this.
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If he is to beat a Tyson Fury or regain the world titles then he will need to better But he got the job done with little danger and now has his first fight with a new trainer under his belt and the all important victory.
There were some ugly scenes at the end when the pair continued pushing and shoving after the final bell and the American’s corner tried to get involved.
But calm was soon restored as the cards of 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 were read out to much delight at The O2. Joshua, 33, came out to a loud reception for his first fight at the venue in seven years.
Anthony Joshua was looking to impress on his return after back-to-back defeats by Oleksandr Usyk cost him his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles.
As the crowd cried out his name, Joshua got to work with a solid jab but he failed to find his range for the right in the first against Franklin.
The American was far from world class but his only loss coming into this was against Dillian Whyte last year. When Joshua did get through with a right in the second, Franklin appeared to shake it off and stuck his tongue out.
