The former two-time heavyweight world champion beat Franklin by unanimous decision, but admitted he was disappointed with his performance. I am a bit disappointed,” Joshua told talkSPORT afterwards.
He later admitted his ego was to blame for his
altercation with Jermaine Franklin after the bell last night.
The two-time former world heavyweight champion comfortably
outpointed Franklin in a lacklustre outing at the O2 Arena, with arguably the
most intense moment being their heated row after round 12. But Joshua insisted
he has respect for his rival after their meeting, telling reporters that both
men were simply overcome by the heat of battle.
Joshua is expected to return to the ring this summer, with
Tyson Fury the opponent on whom he has his eyes set after a first win in
two-and-a-half years last night. But some fans were disappointed with his
inability to land a trademark 'AJ' stoppage, or even drop the relatively
unknown Franklin.
“He wanted to win and round by round we are talking to each
other," he explained of the altercation during 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.”
And in a later interview with Boxing Social he confirmed
that it was a mutual "love for the sport" from the pair that caused
emotions to spill over. "Realistically, yeah, that's it," he told the
outlet when the idea was suggested. "For you personally, you're watching
it but for us that's involved in it there's a lot of pride.
"So it's just me and him, it's not about you or anyone
else. You're just watching it, you can have your opinion but you're just
watching it and me and him? We've got our own little back-and-forth. We're
talking throughout the fight and then it carried on afterwards."
Now, Joshua appears to be planning two more fights this
year; with Fury and Deontay Wilder both potential opponents as well as a
rematch with old rival Dillian Whyte. He will return to Texas shortly where he
continues working with coach Derrick James after starting a rebuilding job
under the American at the end of last year.
“Deep down I am not happy because the ultimate goal is a
knock-out," he said after the bout. "Nothing can top a knock-out. But
it is what it is. I am definitely passionate about the game, 100%, for so many
reasons. The list is long and I am committed until it’s done. The reality I am
living is we are still chasing something. Yeah, I’m still chasing the dream.”