Eddie Hearn has responded to rumours that Jermaine Franklin is the frontrunner to land an April battle with Anthony Joshua – and admitted the American was within the combine.
Hearn says he’s baffled by on-line criticism of Franklin as a possible opponent for Joshua, citing his credible efficiency in opposition to Dillian Whyte final November.
Talking completely to Boxing Social, Hearn mentioned:
“I believe Jermaine Franklin is a superb battle. Nothing’s signed or agreed but, however Franklin’s simply come off the again of a really shut battle with Dillian Whyte, and a few folks felt like he gained that battle.
I’ve seen the vast majority of responses from sane folks on social media, who’re saying “that’s a great battle to come back again to.”
I simply don’t perceive some folks’s criticism of ‘AJ.’ He’s simply fought Oleksandr Usyk twice. If he fights Demsey Mckean, Otto Wallin or Jermaine Franklin – I don’t perceive what extra folks need. He’s coming again, working with a brand new coach and getting a foothold within the heavyweight division.
Jermaine Franklin is a harmful battle, he’s filled with confidence and coming off an important efficiency in opposition to Dillain Whyte. So we’ll see if it’s him.”
The thriller new coach referenced by Hearn seems to be Derrick James, with quite a few studies circulating on-line over the previous week that Joshua has begun camp on the Texan’s fitness center.
James boasts the likes of Jermell Charlo and Errol Spence Jr in his steady, so the match up could also be excellent for bringing again the ‘outdated Joshua’ that followers have been clamouring for.
A blockbuster summer time rematch with outdated foe Dillian Whyte is believed to be within the offing for the previous unified world champion, supplied he efficiently emerges from his comeback bout this spring.