Anthony Joshua is still in his prime and will get fights against Tyson Fury and Wilder if he beats Franklin, Hearn says

EDDIE HEARN insisted Anthony Joshua is still in his prime and can earn blockbuster fights with Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

But AJ has yet to get back to winning ways in his April 1 comeback fight against Jermaine Franklin.

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Joshua, 33, is suffering back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, 36, leaving him struggling to revive his career.

But a resounding win on his return will help put renewed hope in the long-awaited showdowns against Fury (34) and Wilder (37).

Hearn said: “AJ is looking good but I’m nervous.

“People say this is an easy fight for Anthony Joshua but that’s not the case at all.

“Let’s look at the facts, he has suffered two losses to pound-for-pound number one Oleksandr Usyk but you saw the emotional side of AJ at the last performance and after the fight.

“Franklin is full of confidence after the fight with Dillian Whyte and he suddenly looks about 20 pounds lighter too.

“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 with Joshua ringside for it.

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So AJ left no stone unturned as he completed training camp away from home for the first time.

He did so under the tutelage of Derrick James in Dallas, giving Hearn confidence that the best is yet to come from the two-time champion.

The promoter said: “Franklin is a good fighter who will come well equipped but AJ has worked his way up there in a humble, humble environment.

“It’s just him, Derrick James and Erroll Spence. Just hard work.

“I think that’s the hardest thing he’s ever worked at camp and I really hope he’ll be back on June 1.

“But he has to beat Jermaine Franklin.”

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