Anthony Joshua believes Jermaine Franklin is facing him at the worst time possible ahead of Saturday’s clash at the O2 Arena.
Joshua goes into the fight off the back of two defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, with Franklin suggesting it was the perfect moment to hand the Londoner a hat-trick of losses.
But Joshua countered: “It’s the worst time. The more he talks, the bigger grave he digs for himself.
“I’m going to make sure I go out there and get the job done. I dream big and I want bigger and better things in my life. The goal’s not to make it back to the corner. The goal’s to take him.
“I’m prepared for a 12-rounder but I believe in my ability… to put a dent in Jermaine. I’ll do what I have to do because I really want to win.”
Franklin goes into the fight off the back of his own defeat in his last outing in the ring, a points loss to Dillian Whyte but a fight Franklin and his corner felt he deserved to win.
The relatively unheralded American said his target was to go for the knockout this weekend.
“I’m going to get the win anyway possible but, if I can put him on his arse, that’s what I’m going to do,” said Franklin. “I came from a place with not a lot of possibilities. I’ve made it this far so anything’s possible.”
Saturday’s fight is the first time in seven years that Joshua is not fighting for a world title and his first bout under new trainer Derrick James.
And Joshua said much of his motivation was to prove James was right to take a chance on him.
“When I speak to Derrick and ask him certain questions, the knowledge he spits out is phenomenal,” he said.
“Derrick’s up there with one of the best people I’ve spoken to in boxing. I’m looking forward to showing him he’s not wasted his time.”
