Joshua at heaviest career fighting weight against Franklin
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn stands in the centre as British boxer Anthony Joshua, centre left and US boxer Jermaine Franklin face off during a press conference, at the Nobu Hotel, in London, Wednesday March 29, 2023. The stakes are high for Anthony Joshua in a fight that comes at a crossroads in his career. The former two-time world champion takes on American boxer Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday. Credit: AP/Zac Goodwin
LONDON — Anthony Joshua will come in at the heaviest fighting weight of his career when he takes on Jermaine Franklin in London on Saturday.
Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion, weighed in Friday at 255.4 pounds (115.8 kilograms) for the fight at the O2 Arena.
That is nearly 11 pounds (5kg) heavier than his last fight, the second straight loss to Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia in August.
Joshua said he has eaten more and focused less on lifting weights during his training camp in Dallas, Texas, with new trainer Derrick James.
The British boxer is looking to get back into contention for world title fights by beating Franklin, who weighed 234.1 pounds (106.2kg) — 23 pounds (10.5kg) lighter than when he lost for the first time in his career in November to Dillian Whyte.
