Can Anthony Joshua Recover from Usyk Defeats?

The two defeats to Oleksandr Usyk have derailed the career of Anthony Joshua. Before those fights, he was considered one of the leading boxers in the heavyweight division, and with three of the four major belts, he was also on course to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

April’s Assignment @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/6Vka6LV5aX

— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) February 9, 2023

However, he now finds himself in a fight to save his career. Nothing other than a victory against Jermaine Franklin in his comeback to the ring will be enough for the British boxer. He will also need to show he is motivated to get back to the top again.

Odds Suggest Joshua Should Prevail

The former world champion is 1/12 in the Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin odds for this upcoming bout in London. Those odds suggest Joshua should win this fight comfortably, which is exactly what he needs.

Joshua is 1/4 in the latest boxing betting odds to prevail inside the distance against his American opponent. Twenty-two of his 24 victories in his professional career have come by stoppage. Joseph Parker, Andy Ruiz Jr, and Usyk are the other three men to take him to the judges’ scorecards, with the latter prevailing on points on two occasions.

Franklin is a big underdog to upset Joshua in front of his home supporters. This will be his second appearance in London in the last 12 months. He suffered his first defeat as a pro boxer when Dillian Whyte beat him last October. Joshua will have watched that fight and he will be hoping to have the same success as his fellow British compatriot had.

Joshua Usually Responds Well to Defeat

BREAKING: Anthony Joshua beats Andy Ruiz Jr. on points in Saudi Arabia to reclaim world heavyweight titles.
More coverage at https://t.co/5P161kAgOc pic.twitter.com/UmGnzND72S

— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) December 7, 2019

Although it has not happened too often in his career, Joshua has followed up a defeat with a big performance. After losing to Ruiz Jr in New York, he produced one of the best displays of his career in the rematch. He showed great patience in that fight, ensuring he remained out of range of the American’s big punches.

Joshua was also praised for his performance in his rematch with Usyk. He was unable to get the victory, but it was a big improvement on their first encounter. AJ caused the champion problems and was even given the score in his favour by one of the three judges.

The two-time world champion has been working with trainer Derrick James ahead of the Franklin fight, so it will be interesting to see what approach he takes in the ring. The American is a Trainer of the Year winner.

Fury And Usyk are Likely to Be Watching

Both Tyson Fury and Usyk are likely to be watching the Joshua-Franklin bout, either from the area or on television. If AJ shines on his comeback, he will be hoping to get a shot at one of the two champions later in 2023.

Talks between Fury and Usyk have not gone well, so Joshua may be an opponent both fighters would like to sign a deal with this year. It would be a lucrative deal for them as, despite his recent defeats, he is a boxer who has a big appeal on both sides of the Atlantic. Joshua is set for the 28th appearance in his professional career, and given what is at stake, it is arguably his most important yet.