Blood-soaked Anthony Joshua goes the 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 into the distance by Jermaine Franklin trying 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.

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He arrived with new trainer Derrick James at the heaviest 18st 3lbs of his career, wearing perfect white shorts.

But he couldn’t really put his hands on the 29-year-old former roofer, and his once-gorgeous gear turned bright pink.

There were a few boos at the end and then AJ felt like an additional wrestling with the American that threatened to turn into a brawl – finally!

Joshua and Franklin almost acted EXTRA BLOWS after the last bell after more heated trash talk.

Members of Franklin’s team stepped in and prevented her husband from starting a mass brawl.

But luckily it cooled down and the judges scored it: 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 for a unanimously overwhelming victory.

Joshua apologized for his lackluster performance in an impassioned post-fight interview, saying: “It got a bit messy but I’m calm now.

“I apologize to everyone who saw this. I respect Jermaine and all the fans.

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“Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to dress, he did it well.

“I should have knocked him out but it’s over now and we’re on to the next one.

“When people come to fight me they bring a different kind of energy, he wasn’t here to turn around.”

Franklin – who took the Tube to the venue after the Blackwall Tunnel closure caused a gridlock – was so relaxed as he walked to the ring and banged his fists at the fans.

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

AJ was the opposite, fighting his way into the light wearing new Everlast gloves specially designed for power punches and filled with horsehair.

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

Joshua’s early jabs were crisp and Franklin bobbed his head back a few times, but no real backhands were thrown in the opener.

But the British hero had blood wiped from his nose at the break.

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

A one-two followed and got the partisan crowd roaring, but Joshua’s nose was really leaking, it would have caused him trouble breathing and it made the center of his face look like a direct hit to the visitor.

Franklin was busy in the third round, enjoying his best session with a couple of combinations.

But right at the bell, the Watford man smacked him with a right hand that could have swayed the judges to award him the round.

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But fear grew in the arena as Joshua never seemed to walk the aisles.

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

And there was a worrying end to the fourth when Franklin scored from a combination and the Englishman looked unsteady.

As the fifth began, AJ’s white shorts turned pink with his own blood and Franklin’s confidence grew.

Franklin was hit by a big right hand but he swallowed it without even batting an eyelid, his resilience must have sapped Joshua’s confidence.

Joshua hit in round six with a clever lead uppercut, but that encouraged Franklin to return fire.

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

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There were odd signs of nervousness from AJ in the seventh as he looked around the crowd as he clinched, looking for the aftermath as the bell rang before referee Marcus McDonnell separated the men for a well-deserved break.

Early in the round of 16, AJ landed a missile on Franklin’s chin, but the same kind of shot used to chop down trees seemed to ricochet off the underdog.

When the action ended, the two broke like deer and Joshua pushed his opponent away with the palms of his gloves.

It was a frustrating night and threatened to turn toxic.

In the ninth round, a former AJ fan yelled “hurry up” and “get it straight” on the expensive seats.

Then Franklin caught him with a raised right hand and the arena groaned in fear.

Joshua landed a couple of uppercuts in round 10, one seemingly sending a chunk of meat flying out of Franklin’s mouth.

But AJ’s killer instinct has at best faded or at worst he’s still shy from the shocking loss to Andy Ruiz in 2019 when he scored a knockdown but was then shaken, dropped and slapped.

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

There was a final commotion in the final as Franklin looked stung, but he was brave and Joshua refused to take any chances.

For the last ten years we have been desperate for more regular bouts for our Olympic icon, but when the final bell rang this time we were glad it was over.

Then the argument started and Franklin’s assistant trainer tried to get at AJ before ring expert Tony Bellew tried to interfere and was pulled away.

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