Anthony Joshua calls out Tyson Fury after beating Jermaine Franklin

Anthony Joshua called out Tyson Fury after beating Jermaine Franklin at the O2 on Saturday night.

AJ picked up his first win since 2020 despite a less than convincing performance against Franklin, as the fight was scored 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 in his favor.

His opponent displayed an impressive chin, but it rarely bothered Joshua, who was able to get through the fight out of his prime.

However, after entering the fight heavier than ever, Joshua landed several impressive shots, including a strong right hand early in the second and an uppercut in the fourth, and another in the 10th.

The two-time world heavyweight champion was clear on what he wants to do next, saying after the win: ‘I try to provide for the fans.

He called out WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury immediately after the win.

I know who they want. They said Tyson Fury; the ball is in your court. I would be honored to fight for the WBC World Heavyweight Championship.

If you’re listening, you know my promoter; we’ve had dialogue before, so let’s continue this. We are not getting any younger.

A fight between Fury and Joshua has long been considered one of the most desired fights in the heavyweight division, if not in the entire sport, but it hasn’t materialized.

However, having lost his belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and losing a rematch in 2022, the prospect has become more unlikely than ever, with Gypsy King likely just wanting a fight to unify the division.

Promoter Eddie Hearn backed his fighter, adding: ‘AJ will want the biggest fights.

‘Tonight he was a step down from Oleksandr Usyk, but there was a lot of pressure.

‘He finished the fight well, but as he said, they’re not getting any younger. We would be willing to entertain those conversations to go directly to a Tyson Fury fight in the summer.

The two-time world champion won the fight handily but was not at his best

Joshua also admitted that he felt he should have secured the win by taking the shortest route and taking more shots, stating “I’m not too happy.”

‘No knockout, so it’s not good. It’s a brutal sport, but knockouts are everything. I’m not very happy,’ he told 5 Live Boxing.

‘I could have taken more shots, and I should have, no excuses. But I’ll do it. That’s part of coming back; you have to be your own biggest critic.’

Fury was due to fight Usyk in a unification fight next month, but talks fell through after financial disagreements.

Hearn previously told Sportsmail that talks had taken place about a Joshua vs Fury fight this summer, though Frank Warren later angrily denied this.

If a fight were to materialize between the two British heavyweights, it would surely include one of the most financially lucrative purses the sport has ever seen.

Although Joshua was quick to call out his long-term rival, former super middleweight Carl Froch questioned the 33-year-old’s motivations.

Froch appeared to criticize Joshua, asking if the money was enough to keep him motivated and stating that he saw nothing in his performance that hinted at a return to his former heights.

Eddie Hearn previously told Sportsmail that talks had taken place about a Joshua vs Fury fight.

Carl Froch said that money could no longer be his main motivating factor after having won so much

‘In the ring at the world title level he’s been there, he’s done the business. And now I don’t know. What motivates you?’ she asked.

We talked about it, he wants the money. I don’t understand why he is fighting. It’s just not a dangerous sport. Money can’t be the motivation when you’ve earned more than £100 million.

He added: “I haven’t seen anything in that performance that wants to be world champion again.”

Whether or not Fury rises to the challenge remains to be seen, but Joshua’s intent to take on arguably the best fighter in the division suggests he still has ambitions to return to the top.