Five things cameras didn’t show at Joshua vs Franklin, including Tony Bellew scuffle, Louis Theroux and Love Islanders
ANTHONY JOSHUA got back to winning ways on Saturday night with a laboured victory over Jermaine Franklin.
The former two-time unified heavyweight champion stopped the rot with a points victory over the dogged and determined American.
Anthony Joshua returned to action against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday nightRICHARD PELHAM
AJ registered a laboured points victory over the American at The O2 ArenaRICHARD PELHAM
Victory over Franklin was Joshua’s first in nearly three yearsRICHARD PELHAM
Joshua’s first win in nearly three years – which was far from pleasing on the eye – has put him back on course for a third world title run.
SunSport was in attendance at the packed O2 Arena and got sight of several things the DAZN cameras didn’t broadcast.
Here are five things the cameras didn’t show you.
Tony Bellew’s bust-up
Former WBC cruiserweight champ Tony Bellew was involved a post-fight altercation with a member of Jermaine Franklin’s team moments after the final bell.
Bellew nearly came to blows with trainer Lorenzo Reynolds but was held back by security and fellow boxing pundit Steve Bunce.
Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and no post-fight punches were thrown.
The Bomber has since revealed he nearly traded blows with Reynolds after the coach aggressively approached Joshua following the Brit’s post-bout altercation with Franklin.
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CHISANGA MALATA / THE SUNThe Bomber nearly found himself embroiled in a scuffle with a member of Team Franklin[/caption]
CHISANGA MALATA / THE SUNThe former WBC cruiserweight champ cut a frustrated figure after the incident[/caption]
Louis Theroux
For the best part of the last decade, every Joshua fight has been an event of national interest – with the nation’s media following the big man wherever he competes.
The BBC are no different, although they had arguably their most recognisable interviewer on the scene for the return of AJ.
British television icon Louis Theroux was in attendance to see the eagerly-anticipated return of AJ – and he had a camera crew in tow.
No doubt there’s an incoming documentary of Theroux behind the scenes with the former two-time unified heavyweight champion.
SUN SPORTThe BBC’s Louis Theroux was present at The O2 along with his camera crew[/caption]
Love Island stars
The likes of AJ and Tyson Fury have well and truly helped repopularise the sport of boxing in the UK.
As such, celebs – both A and Z list, are always pining for a seat at the biggest ticket in town.
SunSport spotted two Love Islanders in attendance – one of whom was reality TV star turned boxer AJ Bunker.
The other, was Michael Griffiths, who was sat behind press row taking in the fight in an expensive-looking outfit.
INSTAGRAM@ANDREAJANEBUNKERLove Island star AJ Bunker was one of several celebs in attendance at The O2[/caption]
Empty seats
Joshua’s long-awaited return to The O2 was bulled as a sell-out affair by the arena and Matchroom Boxing..
But before the co-main event between Fabio Wardley and Michael Coffie got underway, there were several empty seats.
And there were even a few empty spaces as AJ made his walk to the ring.
Axed Channel 4 star
TV hardman Ant Middleton is no stranger to attending boxing and UFC fights.
And the former SAS: Who Dares Wins was front a centre for Joshua’s comeback bout, sitting ringside for the return of the golden boy of British boxing.
GettyAnt Middleton was also in attendance at the O2[/caption]