Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin have to be pulled apart by corners AND security

Anthony Joshua and Jermaine Franklin had to be separated by their respective corners and security at the conclusion of their fight at the O2 on Saturday night.

The two heavyweights had engaged in an entertaining if sometimes lacking in quality and sparkle fight, which Joshua won via unanimous decision after the distance was pulled.

With both fighters looking for a knockout punch in the final round, the referee stepped between the two with Franklin on the ropes as the bell rang.

However, both Joshua and Franklin appeared to take the opportunity to engage in a bizarre altercation before their respective corners, and later security, were forced to intervene.

In the melee that followed the bell, Joshua appeared to hit the back of Franklin’s head before the American reacted angrily.

The British and American had to be divided by their respective corners, and then security.

Joshua earned a unanimous points win after Franklin pulled the distance.

Radio 5Live reported that Lorenzo Reynolds, Franklin’s strength and conditioning coach, tried to get involved afterwards when he tried to tackle Joshua after the fight.

This led to Reynolds getting into an altercation with Tony Bellew, who worked for DAZN, before the BBC’s Steve Bunce was forced to intervene before it got ugly.

Joshua, speaking to the media after his first in-ring victory in more than two years, said he was “calm” adding that he was disappointed that he was unable to knock out his opponent.

‘Last time I grabbed the mic, it was a bit chaotic. I’m calm; I thank everyone who came tonight,” he said, referring to his bizarre rant about being beaten by Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk for the second time.

“Inside the ring, there is a different energy, so I apologize to those who are watching. Respect to Jermaine, Eddie [Hearn]Thank you for this opportunity. Fans, thank you too,” she added.

‘It was important to win. Jermaine has a good duck and dive style, someone else from Britain will probably knock him out; As for him, he did well.

I should have knocked him out, but it’s done. To the next. He’s here to prove himself, not turn around. I wish I could have knocked him out.

“I try to keep the fans,” he said when asked who he will fight next. 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.

It ended what had been a more encouraging night for Joshua than his last two bouts, two losses to Usyk within a year of each other in September 2021 and August 2022, but pundits and fans called for Joshua to offer more.

Joshua didn’t put in the kind of performance many expected, leading Carl Froch to wonder if he still has the motivation.

Carl Froch, working for the BBC in his remarks, questioned whether Joshua has the motivation to become a world heavyweight champion again, questioning whether money being the main factor in getting into the ring is enough.

‘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?’ he said.

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 over £100 million.

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