Fans hail Anthony Joshua over come-back win

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Boxing fans in Ebonyi lauded Anthony Joshua’s comeback victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday night.

The Nigerian-born Briton defeated the hard-fighting Franklin by unanimous points decision at the 02 Arena in London.

This is Joshua’s first victory since losing to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk on September 25, 2021, in London, and also the rematch on August 20, 2022, in Saudi Arabia.

Ikechukwu Itumo, Boxing Head Coach of the Ebonyi Sports Council, congratulated Joshua on his victory, noting that it will relaunch him into mainstream heavyweight boxing.

“This victory will surely keep his heavyweight career on track and throw up potential clashes with the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, among others.

“It will also bring a new lease into world boxing-title challenges with possibilities of more mouth-watering bouts,” he said.

Jeffery Diobi, an amateur boxer in the old Enugu sports council, advised Joshua to get more preparatory bouts before seeking potential title bouts.

“The long period of inactivity showed in the clash with Jermaine as he is still far from the old Joshua we know.

“He should use such fights to prepare adequately and attain the physical and mental conditions required for title bouts,” he said.

Chief Alain Maduakolam, an Estate Developer and Boxing Buff, however, expressed delight with the improvements from Joshua at the 02 Arena.

“I watched the bout and noticed that despite being taken to the distance by Franklin, Joshua was consistently on the ascendancy as the rounds progressed.

“He also battled tenaciously with improved left jabs despite blood trickling from his nose in the second stanza,” he said.

Miss Oluchi Nwankwo, a student and a Joshua fan, urged the boxer to remain focussed on returning to his best form.

“I have absolute confidence in ‘AJ’ emerging the best again despite past setbacks,” she said.

NAN