EDDIE HEARN insisted Anthony Joshua is still in his prime and can earn blockbuster fights with Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.
But AJ must first return to winning ways on his April 1 comeback bout against Jermaine Franklin.
PAAnthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn and Jermaine Franklin[/caption]
ReutersTyson Fury in his 2020 win over Deontay Wilder[/caption]
Joshua, 33, is coming off consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 36, leaving him fighting to revive his career.
But a statement victory upon his return will help punch new hope into long-awaited showdowns against Fury, 34, and Wilder, 37.
Hearn said: “AJ’s looking good but I’m nervous.
“People are saying this is a straightforward fight for Anthony Joshua but it’s not at all.
“Let’s look at the facts, he’s coming off two defeats to the pound-for-pound number one Oleksandr Usyk but you saw the emotional side to AJ in the last performance and after the fight.
“Franklin is full of confidence coming off the Dillian Whyte fight and he looks all of a sudden about 20lbs lighter as well.
“This is a big moment for Anthony Joshua’s career, people are talking about fights against Deontay Wilder, Whyte, Fury but he has to win on April 1.”
Franklin, 29, was controversially beaten by Whyte, 34, in November, which Joshua was ringside for.
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So AJ is leaving no stone unturned as he completed training camp away from home for the first time.
He did so under the guidance of Derrick James in Dallas, giving Hearn the confidence that the best is yet to come from the two-time champion.
The promoter said: “Franklin is a good fighter who is going to come well equipped but AJ has worked himself hard out there in humble, humble surroundings.
“This is just him, Derrick James and Erroll Spence. Just hard work.
“I think this is the hardest he’s ever worked in camp and I really hope that he can produce the performance that he deserves on April 1 because I believe he’s still in his prime.
“But he has to beat Jermaine Franklin.”
Derrick James pictured with Anthony JoshuaRichard Pelham / The Sun Read More