Joshua, minus fireworks and ferocity, gets back to winning ways

Former heavyweight champion does little to silence the doubters as he labours to points victory over stubborn Jermaine Franklin

AFTERS: Anthony Joshua clashes with Jermaine Franklin and a member of Franklin's coaching staff after the International Heavyweight contest at The O2, London. Pic: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.

Anthony Joshua returned to winning ways but only after a laboured display in a unanimous points victory over Jermaine Franklin.

The Briton had lost three of his last five fights, which included consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, but he tasted success again for the first time since 2020 after the judges scored the London bout 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 in favour of the home favourite.