Postpublished at 22:47 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Round 4
That third was Franklin's best round of the contest and again looks for the back-to-back jabs early in the fourth.
Summary
Briton Anthony Joshua beats American Jermaine Franklin by unanimous points decision in London
Three judges score it 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 for Joshua
Ugly scenes at the end as corners and fighters clash momentarily and security steps in
Joshua extends record to 25 wins in 28 fights but fails to produce knockout moment
Get involved: #bbcboxing
Postpublished at 22:47 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Postpublished at 22:46 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Carl Froch
Former world super-middleweight champion on BBC Radio 5 liveFranklin won that round, but Joshua isn't throwing with conviction or authority.
Postpublished at 22:46 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 LiveFranklin was enjoying himself in that round. He was relaxed.
Postpublished at 22:46 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Round 3
A couple of wild haymakers from Franklin, but both are spotted and avoided by Joshua. But Franklin is looking like he's building in confidence and risking more in an attempt to find a life-changing punch.
A left hook from Joshua but Franklin does well with a few jabs to get himself out of trouble. In the final seconds of the round it's a big right from Joshua but all credit to Franklin who takes the punch well.
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 22:42 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Carl Froch
Former world super-middleweight champion on BBC Radio 5 liveAJ is throwing arm shots. He isn't sending shots with real conviction.
Franklin is getting more confident.
Postpublished at 22:42 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Round 2
A left from Franklin, gambling forward, lands but at a cost as Joshua instantly then buries a brutal right hand into the Franklin body.
That's two rounds in the bank for Joshua.
"Keep attacking, you've got him very uncomfortable, he's bleeding, we're looking really good," Franklin is told by a very optimistic corner.
Postpublished at 22:40 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Round 2
A right hand from Joshua is coming straight after the left jab and it lands sweetly from Joshua, rocking Franklin's head back but the American is wise enough to get out of the way to avoid any potential follow-ups.
Postpublished at 22:39 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Round 2
A chopping down right from Joshua glances off the head of Franklin, who sticks his tongue out at Joshua in a sign of mock defiance.
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 22:38 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Carl Froch
Former world super-middleweight champion on BBC Radio 5 liveThat was a good round from AJ, with authoritative jabs.
'A planned first round'published at 22:38 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 LiveJoshua looked like he was ready to let his hands go.
That looked like a planned first round.
Postpublished at 22:38 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Round 1
That's Joshua's opening round, but more of a scouting mission than any serious attempt to get rid of his opponent. Franklin tried a couple of attacks but could not find much success.
Image source, MatchroomPostpublished at 22:36 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Round 1
Joshua, towering over his opponent, instantly rocks back Franklin with a powerful left jab. Franklin tries to dance forward and attack with his left but can only see his punch bounce off the gloves of the Englishman.
That left jab from Joshua is looking dangerous tonight.
Postpublished at 22:34 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Here we go. Round one. What has AJ got in store for us?
Postpublished at 22:33 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
"This is it, the time has come, the fight starts now," screams David Diamante as he starts his five-minute pre-fight build-up.
Our referee is Marcus McDonnell.
Image source, Matchroom'AJ is on a mission'published at 22:29 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Carl Froch
Former world super-middleweight champion on BBC Radio 5 liveIt is all about doing the business.
AJ is on a mission; he needs a performance this evening.
Postpublished at 22:29 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
A huge cheer as Anthony Joshua makes his way to the ring, with, as usual, a host of spectacular pyrotechnics going off.
Joshua's record: Fights: 27, Wins: 24 (22 inside distance), Losses: 3
Image source, Matchroom'Won and lost in his head'published at 22:27 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
David Haye
Former world heavyweight champion on BBC Radio 5 liveAJ needs to make a statement, 100%.
This whole mission is about showing he is a leader in the heavyweight division. This fight will be won and lost in his head.
Here comes Franklinpublished at 22:27 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Jermaine Franklin is heading to the ring. What a night for the 29-year-old. This is a career-changing opportunity for him to jump up to among the top ranks of the heavyweight division.
His record: Fights: 22, Wins: 21 (14 inside distance), Losses: 1.
Image source, Getty ImagesJoshua ‘not underestimating’ Franklinpublished at 22:23 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Watch as Anthony Joshua says he is not underestimating tonight's opponent Jermaine Franklin.
Media caption, Joshua ‘not underestimating’ Franklin
Watch what happened at the weigh-inpublished at 22:22 British Summer Time 1 April 2023
Watch as two-time world champion Anthony Joshua weighed in at a career-heavy 18st 3lb (115.7kg) for tonight's fight against Jermaine Franklin at London's O2 Arena.
Joshua's previous heaviest weight was 18st 2lb (115.6kg) when he stopped Carlos Takam in the 10th round in 2017.
American Franklin, 29, weighed 16st 7lb (106.1kg) - 23lb lighter than when he lost to Dillian Whyte in November.
Media caption, Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin: British heavyweight weighs in at career-heavy 18st 3lb