Joshua vs Franklin Odds: Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips For The Big Fight

Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin Predictions:

• Joshua to win by KO, TKO or DQ - 5/6 With Bet365
• Joshua to win in Rounds 7-12 - 5/4 With Parimatch
• Joshua to win in Rounds 7-8 - 4/1 With Ladbrokes

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will make his return to the ring when he faces Jermaine Franklin at the O2 Arena on Saturday.

He is the overwhelming favourite with betting sites at just 1/10 to win the bout.

However, Franklin has a career record of 21-1 and he was a little unlucky to suffer a points defeat to Dillian Whyte last time out, so AJ cannot afford to take him lightly.

The two-time former WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO champion has lost three of his last five fights, and defeat on Saturday would be disastrous.

Yet victory could provide the springboard for a return to the upper echelons of the heavyweight division, so it is a pivotal moment in his career.

Joshua has a new trainer in Derrick James, and it will be interesting to see if the American coach can unleash some of the old AJ magic.

With that in mind, read on for a breakdown of our top tips on this fight, which has been billed as New Dawn.

Back Anthony Joshua To Return To Winning Ways

Joshua opted for a change of scenery by moving his training camp from the UK to Texas in preparation for this fight.

He also ditched trainer Robert Garcia after just one fight – a defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022 – allowing him to link up with James, a former professional fighter.

James was named The Ring’s Trainer of the Year in 2017 on the back of his excellent work with Errol Spence and Jermell Charlo.

He is working hard to unlock Joshua’s potential, which could spell bad news for Franklin on Saturday.

Five years ago, AJ was on top of the world, with a 22-0 record and four world heavyweight belts draped over his powerful shoulders.

It has unravelled in spectacular fashion for the Watford-born fighter since then, starting with his shock defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. in New York.

He made amends by outpointing Ruiz in the rematch, and victory over Kubrat Pulev in December 2020 suggested that he was back on track.

However, back-to-back defeats to Usyk exposed his flaws as a fighter, and his post-match antics in August may forever tarnish his legacy.

Amid the various setbacks, it is easy to forget just how dangerous Joshua was before that defeat to Ruiz knocked his confidence.

He has won 22 of his 27 fights by knockout, having stopped talented fighters such as Wladimir Klitschko, Whyte, Alexander Povetkin and Pulev.

If he rediscovers the aggression that defined the first six years of his professional career, he could make short work of Franklin.

The American has never previously been stopped, but he has never faced anyone as strong as Joshua, and AJ winning by knockout at 3/10 with the best online betting sites for boxing is the most likely outcome on Saturday.

The Opening Rounds Could Prove To Be Cagey

You have to go back to December 2016 for the last time Joshua stopped an opponent prior to the seventh round.

That came when he successfully defended his IBF heavyweight title against Eric Molina at the Manchester Arena.

Joshua has had nine fights since then - three defeats, two victories by unanimous decision, an 11th round knockout win, a 10th round knockout win, a ninth round knockout victory and a seventh round knockout victory.

He has not tasted success in the ring since fighting Pulev in 2020, so he is naturally going to be a little nervous on Saturday.

As such, the opening rounds could prove cagey, as both fighters feel one another out and Joshua seeks to dominate with the jab.

Franklin has only lost one fight in his career - a controversial defeat to Whyte four months ago, courtesy of a mixed decision.

He is a gutsy, energetic fighter with a solid chin, and it is hard to see him suffering an early knockout in this fight.

However, he had never been in the ring with anyone of note prior to facing Whyte, and he could struggle to deal with Joshua’s power, reach advantage and physicality as this fight wears on.

That’s why backing Joshua to win in Rounds 7-12 at 5/4 with Parimatch looks like the best option.

AJ’s Superior Power And Reach Advantage Should Shine Through

If you want even more value, you can get 3/1 at Bet365 on Joshua winning this fight in Rounds 7-9, which looks appealing.

Joshua is also priced at 4/1 with Ladbrokes to win in Rounds 7-8, which could prove attractive if you want longer odds.

He may have been outclassed by Usyk, but we must remember that he only lost via a split decision to the Ukrainian superstar in August last year.

Joshua remains a decent boxer, an Olympic gold medal winner and a two-time world heavyweight champion.

He may struggle against the best fighters in the division, such as Tyson Fury and Usyk, but he has the quality to beat a relatively inexperienced opponent like Franklin within eight rounds.

AJ is four inches taller than Franklin and he has a considerable reach advantage, so he should wear the American down with the jab and then knock him out in the second half of the fight.