Anthony Joshua will have his first non-world title fight since the Dillian Whyte fight in 2015, but AJ has warned Jermaine Franklin is a ‘dangerous opponent’ as the next fight confirmed

Anthony Joshua will take part in his first non-world title fight since 2015 but has been warned of the dangers of his next opponent.

AJ has confirmed he will face Jermaine Franklin in his first non-title fight since beating Dillian Whyte in December 2015 – but the two-time world champion has been warned it won’t be possible to walk the park on April 1st.

The pair will face off at London’s O2 Arena in their first outing since losing their rematch to Oleksandr Usyk and getting a chance to regain their belts.

Since knocking out Whyte in the same venue for the UK title, Joshua has been involved in 12 successive world title fights.

He is desperate to find his way back to winning ways after back-to-back losses on points to Usyk, with his last victory against Kubrat Pulev in 2020.

Speaking about his fight with Franklin, Joshua said: “I can’t wait to get back in the ring.

“Mentally and physically, I feel ready. I want to put on a show and impress my coach because he has high standards.

“Franklin has a good style and attitude, which he’s shown in recent fights.”

Meanwhile, his opponent has only lost once in 22 fights, that loss to Whyte on points in November.

“I’m ready to show the world why it’s time for me to take my place at the top of the heavyweight division,” he said.

“Joshua had his time. It’s time for me to shock the world.

Former European super bantamweight champion Spencer Oliver, who knows AJ well, has told boxing fans that the American should not be underestimated.

Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Oliver said: “Jermaine Franklin was a bit of an unknown quantity when he came in November and boxed Dillian Whyte and he proved a tough client.

“A lot of people thought that actually he might do well in this fight against Dillian Whyte, so Franklin has a lot to gain, and when somebody has a lot to gain, he’s going to come and bring his best match.

“You have to remember Franklin will come in with a lot of confidence after the Whyte loss because a lot of people felt he won that fight.

“But Anthony Joshua’s confidence at the moment is also at rock bottom. It’s about rebuilding Anthony Joshua and really reinventing him.

“He’s been to America, has a new coach Derrick James in his corner, so they’re going to be working on new things.”

When asked by co-host Darren Bent if it would be difficult for Joshua to prepare to face someone who doesn’t pose the same threat as Usyk, Oliver said, “Franklin will bring it, you know.

“He’s a guy that not many people will recognize, not many people will give Joshua credit for taking on this opponent. But he’s a living opponent, he’s a dangerous opponent and I give him credit for that.

“I think he has a right to that. Every fighter is when they come back and for me, Franklin fits the bill.

When selecting Franklin, promoter Eddie Hearn said it was down to style.

“AJ is coming off two fights against a southpaw – Oleksandr Usyk’s best southpaw – and wanted an orthodox fighter.

“The practice team, really, looked at him and thought, ‘If we’re going to fight Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, Tyson Fury, there’s no point in going back and fighting a southpaw.