The former two-time heavyweight world champion is on a two-fight losing streak- both against the reigning unified titleholder Oleksandr Usyk, and a comeback victory is of utmost need for AJ if he wants to return to title contention.

However, in case The O2 Arena in London this Sunday sees Franklin as the one walking out of the ring as the winner, then the boxing fandom will see it as Joshua’s final career appearance, as the 33-year-old spoke to Mail Online.

“I will. I will retire if I lose. I’m not here to battle people. If people want me to retire I will retire. I’m not going to fight if people don’t want me too. It’s not even about the money. It’s about the competitor in you. That’s what’s important,” said Joshua.

“I know when I am retired, I am gonna be chilling. I’m gonna be thinking f**k everyone. I am done. You lot put so much pressure on me so when I am done, the chains are going to be gone. I am going to be laughing and loving life,” he added.

Anthony Joshua weighs in heaviest in his career against Jermaine Franklin at 255.4 pounds

At 255.4 pounds, Anthony Joshua marked the highest poundage of his boxing career at the official weigh-in this Friday ahead of his fight on Saturday against Jermaine Franklin.

It’s the first time Joshua has scored above 250 pounds since October 2017, when he knocked out Carlos Takam in 10 rounds. At that weigh-in, AJ registered 254 pounds. In contrast, Franklin weighed in at 234.1 pounds, that is, 23 pounds less than him in his last fight when he lost by a majority decision against Dillian Whyte.

While the former unified heavyweight champion was expected to make his return to the ring against someone with a bigger name, as per BoxingScene.com Franklin will fight against Joshua. Both sides have agreed on the terms for a showdown on April 1st, at London’s O2 Arena.

Jermaine Franklin became the frontrunner for Anthony Joshua’s boxing return

Franklin composes his professional record of 21 victories, 11 by knockout, and a single loss- which he suffered in his last appearance in the squared circle, against Dillian Whyte, via majority decision, back in November last year. The 29-year-old, who hails from Michigan, led the list of probable fighters for Joshua’s return. The list included Demsey McKean as well as Otto Wallin.

This is expected to be the final hurdle leading up to a duel between AJ and Whyte, as long as they both defeat their upcoming opponents. Both bouts will be 12-round heavyweight bouts.

Apparently, this is expected to be the return of the Bnriton to winning ways, after losing twice in a row against Oleksandr Usyk, which cost him his place as the unified world heavyweight champion.

In their first clash dating back to September 2021, Usyk won via unanimous decision and clinched the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles, and defended the belts once again in the rematch last August via split decision. Now the undefeated Ukrainian southpaw is slated to take on Tyson Fury. Currently, the Gypsy King holds the scepter belonging to the World Boxing Council.

Time by time and step by step, Anthony Joshua will look for his next golden opportunity, but not before worrying about beating the promising Jermaine Franklin, which will take place only a few months from now.

The 28-year-old Franklin is a fighter who was mentioned as an option for the next opponent for Whyte (28−3, 19 KOs) after a failed set-up with Otto Wallin.

The fight with Franklin would allow Whyte to clinch a certain victory, which would keep him in the race for a rematch with Anthony Joshua in 2023. ‘The Body Snatcher’ has not fought since his loss against Tyson Fury via 6th round TKO last April. Despite the loss, the 35-year-old is ranked No. 7 in the WBC rankings.

“We are very close to finalizing a deal for Jermaine Franklin to face Dillian Whyte in London on November 26 on DAZN,” Franklin’s promoter Dmitriy Salita told Lord Ping, “If you have not heard of Jermaine Franklin you’re about to discover a fighter who is destined for big things. We have a future heavyweight champion on our hands.”

“Jermaine is young, hungry, skilled and has waited patiently for his opportunity. I believe there is no better opponent for him to face than Whyte at this stage of his career. We respect Whyte, he’s experienced and his left hook is one of the best in the business,” Salita added.

It is unclear why Whyte’s team wants a fight with Franklin, as he is not well known in the United States despite being from there. Considering the puncher’s chance in combat sports, Franklin might even pull off a shocker against Whyte if he targets the chin.

Losing to a lesser-known fighter like Franklin would be disastrous for Whyte’s future, who has already been knocked out in two of his last three fights by Alexander Povetkin and Fury.

Franklin, is still undefeated in his professional career, displaying a record of 21 victories, including 14 by knockout. Hailing from Saginaw, Michigan, Franklin has a notable win over Jerry Forrest, a former opponent of Carlos Takam. However, apart from Forrest, Franklin has never faced a boxer in the TOP 100.