Joshua next opponent named as Hearn delivers promise with conditions

Eddie Hearn states that Jermaine Franklin is ‘nailed on’ to face Anthony Joshua next if he beats Dillian Whyte on November 26 at Wembley Arena. The Matchroom Boxing chief previously named Whyte as the ‘frontrunner’ to face AJ for his return to the ring in early 2023 but if the unbeaten American upsets the odds next month he will be given the opportunity of a lifetime instead.

Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn said: “These are the nights they work for, it’s a golden opportunity. It’s over to him now. If he’s good enough he wins the fight, if he’s not he gets knocked out, but he’s got a chance to change his life. If he beat Dillian Whyte, he should get a shot at the world heavyweight title so that’s what’s on the line for him.

“He’s got everything to gain. Not a lot of people know about Jermaine Franklin in the UK, they know about him in American boxing, but people look at this as a comeback fight for Dillian Whyte to get himself prepared for Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder. But his team are looking at it as a chance of a lifetime to give them a shot at Anthony Joshua.

“I mean, if Jermaine Franklin beats Dillian Whyte he’s pretty much nailed on to fight Anthony Joshua and make millions and millions of dollars. So, that’s what he’s fighting for. He’s a hungry young man, he’s never had those kinds of paydays and he’s got a chance to take it.”

When asked whether it should be branded a ‘comeback fight’ for Whyte, Franklin replied: “It’s a stand-down fight, I’m here to snatch the torch and I’m here to prove why I was called for this fight. I’m here to prove my skills in the ring and prove my abilities and show the world why I deserve to be up there with the top fighters.”