Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, believes that the British-Nigerian can once again be a world heavyweight champion.
Joshua lost his belts in his first fight with Oleksandr Usyk, and while he improved for the August 2022 rematch against the Ukrainian, he was beaten once more on a split decision.
The Nigerian-born fighter is believed to have set up a new training team in the United States as he prepares for his comeback fight on April 1st when he faces American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin.
Franklin put on an impressive display towards the end of last year when he took on Dillian Whyte, losing a match-up that many observers thought he had done enough to win.
Speaking to DAZN, Hearn said that a return to the O2 Arena is part of a plan to bring Joshua back to his best and to become a heavyweight champion for a third time in his career.
He said, “The main man, Anthony Joshua returning to the lion’s den. It used to be the stomping ground for Anthony Joshua, the debut, Kevin Johnson, Gary Cornish, his first title, the British heavyweight fight against Dillian Whyte.
“For a long time that was home, that was the lion’s den. I think that’s going to be emotional. It’s a big fight for him against Franklin. Franklin’s coming off a great fight with Dillian Whyte, a really close fight between those two. He’s full of confidence.
“Everybody’s going to raise their game when they fight Anthony Joshua. The plan for Anthony Joshua is to see him become world champion again. It’s about activity, it’s about enjoying himself.”
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