Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua's promoter, has advised heavyweight boxers in the world's top tier to brace themselves for the return of the former lineal world champion, who is due to make his long-awaited homecoming in April.
Joshua has been out of the ring since losing his past two fights and his world heavyweight boxing belts to Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine.
Many boxing experts have written off the Nigerian-born Briton as a has-been with nothing more to offer the sport after their previous fight in Saudi Arabia.
Hearn, on the other hand, believes otherwise. Hearn stated on a saddoboxing.com podcast that Joshua has rested well and is now ready to reclaim his status in the sport.
"Get ready for Joshua's return," he urged.
We depart in a wild world where everything happens in an instant."
This guy has been running nonstop...
With no breaks and no easy nights, he fought Charles Martin, Molina, Klitschko, Takan, Parker, Povetkin, Ruiz twice, and Usyk twice.
He is coming off two tough fights, one good with Usyk and one in which he was dominated.
"These were against one of the best pound-for-pound heavyweights in the world, and yet people still look down on him."
Those who wish to minimize his accomplishments, all I can say is get ready for Joshua's return.
"He has money in the bank, championship belts, and a lot of other things, but he doesn't care about any of them. All he wants and cares about is reclaiming his heavyweight titles, and anyone who doubts him does so at their peril."
He stated that Joshua opted to make a statement by agreeing to fight Jermaine Franklin, whom many say is a dangerous customer, and that the fact that his opponent was widely regarded as having defeated Dillian Whyte in November attests to the American's skill.
"This demonstrates Joshua's desire to make a point, and I assure you that he will return with vengeance."
Joshua is scheduled to face American heavyweight Franklin at the O2 Arena on April 1.
Franklin is a boxer who began boxing to stay out of trouble, refined his skills by studying Lennox Lewis, took two years off due to debt, and then faced Dillian Whyte.
The American boxer has a professional record of 21 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws. In addition, he has defeated 14 of his 21 opponents.
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