Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin undercard: Complete list of fights at 2023 boxing match

March 29, 2023 Abraham Smith

In Anthony Joshua’s backyard in London, the O2 Arena will be the setting for what he hopes will return to its former form. The former heavyweight champion meets young powerhouse Jermaine Franklin on April 1st.

Joshua is 2-3 in his last five fights and on a losing streak in two fights. Joshua was once a force in the sport and needs a big win to be a title contender again. In his first non-title fight since 2015, Joshua will be dating his third boxing trainer in recent years. He has worked with Robert McCracken, Robert Garcia and Derrick James. Will James make a real difference for Joshua now in America?

“You know what you have to do as a fighter? Skip, shadowbox, hit the heavy bag, hit the gloves and save,” Joshua told DAZN via talkSPORT. “But you have to do it on purpose and understand what you’re trying to do. So a lot of the stuff I may have been looking for before…er [James] is like, ‘Let’s take it back, let’s get back to basics.’ What is good.”

Franklin was introduced to a global audience when he pushed Dillian Whyte to the limit in November. Though he lost by a controversial decision, many saw it as a positive showcase for the American. A win against Joshua could catapult Franklin straight to the level of a heavyweight elite.

MORE: Join DAZN to watch Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin

Since this is a Joshua fight, fans can expect to see several top stars competing on the undercard. There are local competitors and veterans looking for a big win, something for everyone.

Here’s a look inside the entire Joshua vs. Franklin main card.

Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin Undercard

Fabio Wardley vs Michael Polite-Coffie

Pitch/Weight: heavyweight
Wardley record: 15-0
Complimentary coffee record: 13-3
Belt at stake: N / A

Joshua and Franklin won’t be the only heavyweight contenders in action when Fabio Wardley takes on Michael Polite-Coffie for local continental gold. Wardley (15-0) turned pro in 2017 and has won fourteen straight fights by knockout. He beat Simon Vallily for the 2020 English heavyweight title and Nathan Gorman for the British heavyweight title in November.

Polite-Coffie (13-3) turned pro in 2017 and had ended his 12-fight winning streak by losing back-to-back to Jonathan Rice (2021 and 2022). He bounced back by beating Fulgencio Zuniga in July but lost his last fight to Gurgen Hovhannisyan in October.

MORE: Fire Anthony Joshua, we don’t yet know how this heavyweight era will end

Matteo Signani vs. Felix Cash

Pitch/Weight: medium weight
Signani record: 36-6-3
Cash register recording: 16-0
Belt at stake: N / A

Matteo Signani and Felix Cash fight for European gold. Signani (32-6-3) turned pro in 2007. Winning local gold in Italy saw Signani end his nine-fight unbeaten streak against Emanuele Blandamura in 2016. The Jaguar went on to have another winning streak, eight in a row, before losing to Anderson Prestot in June.

In a November rematch, Signani defeated Prestot via TKO.

Cash (16-0), a silver medalist at the England National Championships, turned professional in 2016. Cash won gold for the British Boxing Board of Control and last fought in December when he defeated Celso Neves on points. A win could put him closer to a clash with Austin Williams.

MORE: Can Jermaine Franklin upset Anthony Joshua?

Austin Williams vs. River Wilson Bent

Pitch/Weight: medium weight
Williams record: 13-0
Wilson Bent record: 14-2-1
Belt at stake: N / A

I want to face Felix Cash sometime in 2023. Austin Williams will have to get through River Wilson-Bent First. Williams (13-0) turned pro and has nine wins by knockout. “Ammo” won four fights in 2022, beating Javier Maciel, Chordale Booker, Kieron Conway and Simon Madsen, the latter fight in December.

Wilson-Bent (14-2-1) turned pro in 2018. After fighting Tyler Denny to a tie for the English middleweight title in 2021, he lost a rematch in 2022. Since then, Wilson-Bent has won 2-1 and his last fight was a points win over Darryl Sharp in early March.

Campbell Hatton vs. Louis Fielding

Pitch/Weight: Light
Hatton record: 10:0
catch record: 10-7
Belt at stake: N / A

The map is rounded off Campbell Hatton vs. Louis Fielding. Ricky Hatton’s son, Campbell (10-0), 22, turned pro in 2021. He won four fights in 2022, two via knockout and two via points. Hatton’s last fight was a points win over Michal Gonxhe in early March.

MORE: Fire Anthony Joshua, we don’t yet know how this heavyweight era will end

Fielding (10-7) turned pro in 2014. The 32-year-old is 2-2 in his last four fights, his most recent fight being a point loss to Ishmael Ellis in April 2022.

When is Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin

Date: Saturday April 1 | Sunday April 2nd
Start time: 2 p.m. ET | 6pm GMT. | 5 p.m. AEDT
Main Event: 5:30 p.m. ET | 21:30 GMT | 8:30 a.m. AEDT

Joshua vs. Franklin takes place on April 1st. The main card begins at 2 p.m. ET | 6pm GMT. | 5 p.m. AEDT. Joshua and Franklin were scheduled to enter the ring at around 5:30 p.m. ET | 21:30 GMT | 8:30 a.m. AEDT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.

How to watch Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin

country	Date	Channel + live stream (main card)
United States	Sat April 1st	DAZN
Great Britain	Sat April 1st	DAZN
Australia	Sun. 2nd of April	DAZN

The Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin fight card will be available via DAZN.