ANTHONY JOSHUA’S career suffered another bloody nose after he was dragged the distance by Jermaine Franklin who tried to fight him after the bell.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />He arrived with new trainer Derrick James at a career heaviest 18th 3lbs wearing perfect white shorts.<br /><br />But he couldn’t put a dent in the 29-year-old former roofer and his once-resplendent kit ended up bright pink.<br /><br />There were a couple of boos at the end and then AJ fancied some extra wrestling with the American that threatened to spill into a brawl - finally!<br /><br />Joshua and Franklin nearly traded ADDITIONAL BLOWS after the final bell after more heated trash talk.<br /><br />Members of Franklin's team jumped in and stopped their man from starting a mass brawl.<br /><br />But thankfully it was cooled and the judges scored it: 118-111, 117-111, and 117-111 for a unanimously underwhelming win.<br /><br />Joshua apologized for his lackluster display in an impassioned post-fight interview, saying: "That got a bit chaotic but I am calm now.<br /><br />"I apologize to anyone who saw that. I respect Jermaine and all the fans.<br /><br />"Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to tuck up, and he did well.<br /><br />"I should have knocked him out but now it is done and we are on to the next.<br /><br />"When people come to fight me they bring a different type of energy, he was not here to roll over."<br /><br />Franklin - who got the tube to the venue after the Blackwall tunnel closure caused gridlock - was so relaxed walking to the ring, punching fists with fans.<br /><br />He was either living up to his 989 Assassin nickname, or he was just here for a payday and knew his bank balance was set for a huge boost in the morning.<br /><br />AJ was the opposite, shadowboxing his way into the lights, with new Everlast gloves specially designed and stuffed with horsehair for power punches.<br /><br />And when he made it to the ring he refused to take his eyes off of Franklin and tried to stare a hole into his dreadlocked head.<br /><br />Joshua’s early jabs were crisp and Franklin had his head rocked back a couple of times but no real backhands were thrown in the opener.<br /><br />But the Brit hero needed to have blood wiped away from his nose in the break.<br /><br />AJ landed his first right hand in the second but Franklin stuck his tongue out to mock him.<br /><br />A one-two followed and got the partisan crowd roaring but Joshua’s nose was leaking, it would have caused him problems breathing and it made the center of his face look like a bullseye for the visitor.<br /><br />Franklin was busy in the third and enjoyed his best session with a couple of combinations.<br /><br />But right on the bell the Watford man cracked him with a right hand that might have swayed the judges to award him the round.
