Former heavyweight unified world champion Anthony Joshua of Britain beat Jermaine Franklin of the U.S. by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday.

It was Joshua's first win in over two years after suffering two straight defeats to Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine in May and September in 2021. The last time Joshua won a fight was a knockout (KO) victory over Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria in December 2020. Moreover, Saturday's bout was Joshua's first non-world title fight since he defeated Charles Martin of the U.S. in 2016. He had been involved in 12 belt fights since then.

Twenty-two of Joshua's 25 wins in his career were KOs. He had been seen as a favorite over Franklin before Saturday's fight. However, Joshua didn't seem to be in his comfort zone for most of the bout until the judges scored it 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111 to announce him the winner.

Though it was not his favorite type of win, the former heavyweight world champion went through a lot to clinch it. For instance, he switched to Texas-based trainer Derrick James and put on more weight. He weighed 255.4 pounds (115.8 kilograms) for Saturday's fight, 11 pounds (5 kilograms) heavier than in his previous bout and the heaviest in his career.

"I would have liked a knockout, but it's important to get the win," Joshua told DAZN after the fight. When asked who he wants to face next, he let the crowd give the answer. "I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?" 

"Fury," many of the spectators yelled.

Joshua has very candid recently about his desire to fight compatriot Tyson Fury, who is waiting for a unification bout with Usyk. The 36-year-old Usyk must first fight his mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois of Britain.

There is no mandatory fight obligations between Joshua and Fury, but it could make the biggest all-British heavyweight fight in history if the two face each other in the ring.

"The ball is in his court. I would be 100-percent be honored to fight for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world. I stand here and I say it proudly," Joshua said. "So wherever you are, if you're listening, you know my management, you know my promoter. We've had dialogue before, so let's continue this and hopefully we can get this on sooner than later."