Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua has put 'heart back into boxing' before facing Jermaine Franklin

The Briton, 33, looks for his first win since 2020 after successive defeats by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua said he was more serious than ever before about his boxing career.

"I've always tried to make an empire but I made a conscious decision last year to put my heart into boxing and nothing else," he said.

"Throughout my career, this is probably the most serious time I've taken it."

Joshua was joined by his new coach Derrick James, with both men flying from Texas to London to attend the news conference.

Anthony Joshua: British heavyweight to make comeback against Jermaine Franklin

Joshua, 33, who lost back-to-back fights to world champion Oleksandr Usyk, will be seeking a first win since beating Kubrat Pulev in 2020.

BBC reports Franklin was beaten on points by Briton Dillian Whyte in November, marking a first loss in 22 fights for the 29-year-old American.

"I'm looking forward to stepping back into the ring," said Joshua.

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

Briton loses world title rematch by split decision

In a clash billed as the Rage on the Red Sea, a spirited Joshua, 32, showed some aggressiveness and intent - a vast improvement from their first fight - but could not match the brilliance and ring savviness of the Ukrainian who improved his record to 20 wins from 20 contests.

Two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 to Usyk and the third gave it 115-113 to Joshua.

While there were some close rounds, Usyk - in just his fourth bout since moving up from cruiserweight to heavyweight - was the deserved winner.

Oleksandr Usyk looks massive before Anthony Joshua fight

The 35-year-old Ukrainian fighter has been sharing footage online of his training before the fight on 20 August.

Meanwhile, a new British boxing star is born at the Commonwealth Games and Jake Paul v KSI may be on for next year.

Here are just a few of the talking points boxing fans have been discussing online this week.

Usyk is definitely not a cruiserweight any more

Joshua, 32, will be hoping for revenge after losing his WBA (Super), IBF and WBO titles to Usyk in London last September.

Fury says he would come out of retirement to fight Joshua for free

Fury said last month he was "over" boxing but has since changed his tune, saying he would take on Joshua provided his terms were met.

"The fight has got to be for free," Fury said in an Instagram post.

"Free to air on television and all tickets go for free. No money is to be made off of this British, historic fight if it happens," he said.

"There's the terms, I'm in the driving seat, take it or effing leave it."

Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua II: British challenger confident of win in rematch

Joshua came face-to-face with Usyk for the first time since losing his WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO titles in London in September.

At a media conference, Joshua was full of confidence as he aims to become a three-time world champion.

"If you know my story, you know I'm the comeback king," Joshua, 31, said.

"You can put me down, but it's difficult to keep me down."

Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua rematch likely to occur in August

Ukrainian Usyk beat Joshua on points last year to claim the WBO, IBF and WBA (Super) titles.

A date of 23 July was pencilled in for the rematch but Usyk's promoter Oleksandr Krasyuk said they have been told to prepare for the later date.

Saudi Arabia is expected to host the rematch despite concerns about the country's human rights record.

Joshua, 32, has fought in Saudi Arabia once before when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in 2019.

It is the second time the highly anticipated rematch between Usyk and Joshua has been delayed.

Anthony Joshua's rematch with Oleksandr Usyk now targeted for May

Tyson Fury had offered Joshua a large offer so he could fight WBA (Super), IBF and WBO champion Usyk instead.

But those talks collapsed and speaking to the 5 Live Boxing podcast, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said: "It's clear AJ will be fighting Usyk, which is his preferred choice."

"May is when you'll see that fight."

Joshua, who lost his title belts to Usyk in September, had planned for the fight to take place in April, but the search for a new trainer and prolonged talks with WBC champion Fury forced a delay.

Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk rematch could be in UK

Briton Joshua lost his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts when Usyk won by unanimous decision in September.

"We have three options: the United Kingdom, Ukraine and the Middle East," Krassyuk told Sky Sports.

"We plan to meet with Eddie Hearn within the next couple of weeks to initiate the rematch activities."

He added: "Hopefully by the end of 2021, we will be in the position to take the final decision."

Anthony Joshua: Briton trains with Mike Tyson's former coach in America

The British heavyweight has faced calls to part ways with long-time coach Rob McCracken since losing his WBA (Super), WBO and IBF titles to Usyk last month.

Joshua has met Virgil Hunter, Eddy Reynoso and Ronnie Shields in the US.

"I guess he didn't feel it was the right [gameplan against Usyk] so he wanted to make a change," said Shields.

Hunter is based in Oakland, California and trained the likes of multiple-weight world champion Andre Ward and Amir Khan.