14 April 2023 , 22:07
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Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin both passed their final drugs tests after their bout on April 1.
English fighter Joshua edged out Franklin - from the United States - in a fight held at London's O2 Arena. The 33-year-old triumphed by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 in his favour.
The victory was Joshua's first since he got the better of Kubrat Pulev in December 2020. The intervening period saw the former world champion go up against Oleksandr Usyk twice, with the Ukrainian winning the first bout by unanimous decision and claiming a split decision victory in the rematch.
The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) confirmed that both Joshua and Franklin passed their tests. "Congratulations to @JermaineFrankl6 @anthonyjoshua for successfully completing @Vada_Testing through their April 1,2023 bout," a tweet read.
The loss in London was Franklin's second in succession, with the American having previously lost to Dillian Whyte at Wembley Arena to end a 21-bout unbeaten start to his career. However, some of Joshua's fans were disappointed he failed to secure a KO in the April 1 fight.
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Next up for the Englishman could be a meeting with Tyson Fury. However, Fury is understood to still be in the dark over any such match-up.
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Anthony Joshua beat Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision (Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)"I don't know the answer to that," George Warren, who owns Fury's promotional outfit Queensberry with dad Frank, told Sky Sports when quizzed on any such negotiations . "The other side spoke a lot about wanting to reach out and contact us after the fight with Franklin; we've not heard anything, not had any contact, so there's been nothing to discuss with Tyson
"They made it quite clear pre-Franklin fight that they wanted to maybe look at that fight for the summer. They thought maybe there was an opportunity. I haven't heard from them. I haven't had a phone call, I haven't spoken to anyone about it. You'd have to ask them."
Joshua, meanwhile, has spoken about the altercation he had with Franklin after the final bell in London. The Watford-born star admitted ego had a part to play in what went on.
“He wanted to win and round by round we are talking to each other," Joshua told his post-fight press conference. "I am pushing his head and s***, so there is a bit of ego and pride that happens in the ring. It just spills over into the final bell. That’s all it is but it is all respect.”
"You're just watching it, you can have your opinion but you're just watching it and me and him?" Joshua later told Boxing Social. "We've got our own little back-and-forth. We're talking throughout the fight and then it carried on afterwards."