Blood-soaked Anthony Joshua goes distance with heroic little-known American ex-roofer Jermaine Franklin in comeback win

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S career suffered another bloody nose after he was dragged the distance by Jermaine Franklin and tried to fight him after the bell.

After back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk and the end of his WBA, IBF and WBO world titles, the 33-year-old needed a convincing comeback.

He arrived with new trainer Derrick James at a career heaviest 18st 3lbs wearing perfect white shorts.

But he couldn’t really put a dent in the 29-year-old former roofer and his once-resplendent kit ended up bright pink.

There were a couple of boos at the end and then AJ fancied some extra wrestling with the American that threatened to spill into a brawl - finally!

Joshua and Franklin nearly traded ADDITIONAL BLOWS after the final bell after more heated trash talk.

Members of Franklin's team jumped in and stopped their man from starting a mass brawl.

But thankfully it was cooled and the judges scored it: 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 for a unanimously underwhelming win.

Joshua apologised for his lacklustre display in an impassioned post-fight interview, saying: "That got a bit chaotic but I am calm now.

"I apologise to anyone who saw that. I respect Jermaine and all the fans.

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"Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to tuck up, he did well.

"I should have knocked him out but now it is done and we are on to the next.

"When people come to fight me they bring a different type of energy, he was not here to roll over."

Franklin - who got the tube to the venue after the Blackwall tunnel closure caused gridlock - was so relaxed walking to the ring, punching fists with fans.

He was either living up to his 989 Assassin nickname, or he was just here for a payday and knew his bank balance was set for a huge boost in the morning.

AJ was the opposite, shadowboxing his way into the lights, with new Everlast gloves specially designed and stuffed with horsehair for power punches.

And when he made it to the ring he refused to take his eyes off of Franklin and tried to stare a hole into his dreadlocked head.

Joshua’s early jabs were crisp and Franklin had his head rocked back a couple of times but no real backhands were thrown in the opener.

But the Brit hero needed to have blood wiped away from his nose in the break.

AJ landed his first right hand in the second but Franklin stuck his tongue out to mock him.

A one-two followed and got the partisan crowd roaring but Joshua’s nose was really leaking, it would have caused him problems breathing and it made the centre of his face look like a bullseye for the visitor.

Franklin was busy in the third and enjoyed his best session with a couple of combinations.

But right on the bell the Watford man cracked him with a right hand that might have swayed the judges to award him the round.

But the anxiety was growing in the arena as Joshua never seemed to move through the gears.

Despite height, reach and weight advantages, Joshua refused to impose his will on Franklin and manhandle him.

And there was a worrying end to the fourth when Franklin scored with a combination and the Englishman looked unsure of himself.

As the fifth started AJ’s white shorts were turning pink with his own blood and Franklin was growing in confidence.

Franklin was whacked by a big right hand but he swallowed it without barely blinking, his resilience must have dented Joshua’s self-belief.

Joshua scored with a clever lead uppercut in round six but it encouraged Franklin to return fire.

The same arena that was once a deafening ram-packed cauldron of support for our AJ suddenly felt very quiet and vast.

There were strange signs of nervousness from AJ in the seventh, looking into the crowd when clinching and looking for afters when the bell rang, before referee Marcus McDonnell separated the men for a well-earned rest.

Right at the start of the eighth, AJ landed a rocket on Franklin’s jaw but the same sort of shot that used to fell trees seemed to bounce off the underdog.

When the action ended the pair were rutting like stags and Joshua shoved his opponent away with the inside palm of his gloves.

It was a frustrating night and in danger of turning toxic.

By round nine one former AJ fan in the expensive seats was shouting “hurry up” and “sort it out”.

Then Franklin caught him with a looped up right hand and the arena groaned with fear.

Joshua landed a couple of uppercuts in round 10, one seemed to send a chunk of flesh flying out of Franklin’s mouth.

But AJ’s killer instinct has, at best, faded or, at worst, he is still gunshy from that shocking 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz when he scored a knockdown but was then rocked, dropped and beaten.

Franklin landed his best right hand of the night in round 11 but AJ coped with the straight dig.

There was a final flurry in the last when Franklin looked stung but he was brave and Joshua refused to risk anything.

Over the last decade, we have been desperate for more regular fights from our Olympic icon but when the final bell rang this time, we were glad it was over.

Then the row started and Franklin’s assistant trainer tried to get at AJ before ringside pundit Tony Bellew attempted to get involved and was pulled away.