British heavyweight Anthony Joshua returned to winning ways with a unanimous points victory over Jermaine Franklin at London’s O2 Arena.
The 33-year-old was in control all through the contest against the American but it was not the explosive early finish many expected.
Two judges scored it 117-111 and one 118-111 to Anthony Joshua, who started a move that allowed tempers flare after the final bell with the two fighters squaring up to each other and prompting their teams to enter the ring before being separated by security.
Joshua’s first win in more than two years, having lost consecutive bouts to WBA (Super), IBF and WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk, means he has now won 25 fights, with 22 stoppages, and lost three since turning professional in 2013.
It is a second defeat for Franklin, who had lost to Briton Dillian Whyte in November.