Anthony Joshua to have first non-world title fight since Dillian Whyte bout in 2015, but AJ warned Jermaine Franklin is a ‘dangerous opponent’ as next fight confirmed

Anthony Joshua will feature in his first non-world title fight since 2015 but has been warned about the dangers his next opponent brings.

AJ confirmed he will take on Jermaine Franklin in his first non-title fight since he beat Dillian Whyte in December 2015 – but the two-time world champion has been warned it will be no walk in the park on 1 April.

The pair will go head-to-head at the O2 Arena in London in what is his first outing since losing his rematch to Oleksandr Usyk and the chance at regaining his belts.

Since knocking out Whyte at the same venue for the British title – Joshua has been involved in 12 successive world title bouts.

He is desperate to get back to winning ways after consecutive points defeats to Usyk, with his last victory coming against Kubrat Pulev in 2020.

Speaking of his fight with Franklin, Joshua said: “I’m looking forward to stepping back into the ring.

“Mentally and physically I feel ready. I want to put on a show and impress my coach as he has high standards.

“Franklin has a good style and a great attitude, which he has shown in recent fights.”

Meanwhile, his opponent has lost just once in 22 fights, with that defeat coming against Whyte on points in November.

“I’m ready to show the world why it’s time for me to take my place at the top of the heavyweight division,” he said.

“Joshua had his time. It’s my time to shock the world.”

Former European super bantamweight champion Spencer Oliver, who knows AJ well, told boxing fans the American shouldn’t be underestimated.

Speaking talkSPORT Drive, Oliver said: “Jermaine Franklin was a bit of an unknown quantity when he came over in November and boxed Dillian Whyte and he proved a tough customer.

“A lot of people felt that actually, he might just nick that fight against Dillian Whyte, so Franklin has got a lot to gain from this, and when someone’s got a lot to gain they’ll come and bring their A game.

“You’ve got to remember Franklin will be coming in with a lot of confidence off that Whyte defeat as a lot of people felt he won that fight.

“But Anthony Joshua’s confidence at the moment is at a low as well. This is about rebuilding Anthony Joshua and reinventing him really.

“He’s taken himself over to America, got new trainer Derrick James in his corner, so they’ll be working on new stuff.”

When asked by co-host Darren Bent if it’ll be hard for Joshua to gear himself up to go up against someone that won’t pose the same threat as Usyk, Oliver said: “Franklin will bring it, you know.

“He’s a guy that not a lot of people will recognise, not a lot of people will give Joshua credit for taking this opponent. But he’s a live opponent, he’s a dangerous opponent and I give him credit for that.

“I think he’s entitled to that. Every fighter is when they’re coming back and for me, Franklin fits the bill.”

On selecting Franklin, promoter Eddie Hearn said it came down to style.

“AJ’s coming off the back of two fights against a southpaw – the best southpaw in Oleksandr Usyk – and wanted an orthodox fighter.

“The training team, really, looked at it and thought ‘If we’re going to go and fight Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Tyson Fury, there’s no point in us going back and fighting a southpaw.”