Tony Bellew said that Jermaine Franklin is a fierce opponent for Anthony Joshua when speaking on The DAZN Boxing Show.
Joshua fights again on April 1 live on DAZN, in his first fight since consecutive defeats to Ukrainian unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Since that August loss, he has taken stock and is rumoured to have established a new training setup in the United States in order to rebuild, and reclaim a world championship belt in future.
Franklin represents a chance to put that work to the test.
Former world champion Bellew said of Joshua’s opponent: “He’s got someone who’s going to push him. He pushed Dillian Whyte all the way. Some think he won, some think he lost . I thought he lost but it was really close.
“I consider AJ is coming off the back of two defeats with a new trainer, a new setup . There’s a lot of questions to be answered. How’s his hunger and desire? How’s his training and preparation for this fight away from home? There’s a lot more questions than answers.
“I think he’ll come back and look fantastic. It’s all about going in there and having a fight. He’s world champion, he’s been at the pinnacle, he’s been unified, he’s fought the best fighters in the world consistently.
“Just compare this to who some people are calling the best heavyweight in the world and look at their opponents.
"I’m happy just to see him back, I want to see him back to his ruthless, clinical best.”