Marcus Morrison (Middleweight contender)
It doesnโt interest me in the slightest and I wouldnโt be fussed if I missed it. I completely understand that heโs coming off back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, but Joshuaโs a former unified world champion who has consistently fought at world level, and the Franklin fight just isnโt good enough for the paying fight fans, especially if heโs on the hunt to get his titles back. Iโd much rather see the Dillian Whyte rematch, and I think a lot of the boxing world agree.
Gary Logan (Former Southern Area welterweight champion)
Iโm happy with it. AJ is still marketable and ambitious. Dillian Whyte struggled with Franklin, so AJ having a potential emphatic win over Franklin sets him up nicely for future fights, particularly the Whyte rematch โ if Whyte gets another good win also.
Michael Conlan (Featherweight contender)
I like it. I think itโs the right opponent for Joshua to come back against. Itโs not an easy fight but it is one he should win. Heโll face a game opponent in Franklin who will make him work for everything. Good matchmaking.
Chris McKenna (Journalist)
Itโs a good fight to come back with given heโs on the back of two defeats and changing trainers โ and the new coach didnโt want a southpaw. But he should be fighting Deontay Wilder in the summer next and not Dillian Whyte, who is of a similar level to Franklin.