Speaking to SportingPost.com, heavyweight boxer Jermaine Franklin has spoken about his preparation ahead of his clash with Anthony Joshua at the O2 in London - revealing how he’ll react to the UK crowd and what food he’s craving to eat post-fight.
Sporting Post: What does it mean to have your family travel over for the fight?
Jermaine Franklin: It means a lot for my family to be here with me, they give me motivation and encouragement.
SP: Did you see any fear in Anthony Joshua's eyes during the weigh-in?
JF: Anthony Joshua looked worried during the weigh-in and face off. He must've thought I was going to be out of shape and lazy.
I don't box the day before fight day. I just relax, chill out and get a lot of rest to conserve my energy ready for war.
SP: What does the final 24 hours before a fight look like for you?
JF: I don't box the day before fight day. I just relax, chill out and get a lot of rest to conserve my energy ready for war. I don't have any superstitions but I switch from a cool guy to a warrior once I'm in the locker room.
I start to get fired up and once they begin the ring walks, the adrenaline starts to kick in and then by the time I get in the ring I'm a little mean.
I like to have fun in my dressing room before the fight. I'll chill out and talk to my coaches, nothing too serious. I like a fun atmosphere in my dressing room before I go out to fight.
SP: How will you feel walking out to 60,000 fans, who are mostly supporting Anthony Joshua?
JF: I'll feel the same as any other fight. There's no pressure on me. I've been the underdog a lot in my life and my career so it's nothing new to me.
I won't be feeling any pressure or any type of way about the situation, I'm just ready to get in the ring and prove everybody wrong.
SP: How do you feel about being the 'enemy'?
JF: It's never been a problem, I just go out there and do what I have to do. At the end of the day, the fans aren't fighting. When I get in the ring, it's just me and Anthony Joshua. It doesn't matter who's yelling at you or even cheering for you once we're in the ring.
I'll feel the same as any other fight. There's no pressure on me. I've been the underdog a lot in my life and my career so it's nothing new to me.
SP: Did the Dillian Whyte experience prepare you for the challenge of Anthony Joshua?
JF: I wouldn't say it did because he's a completely different fighter. Anthony Joshua isn't Dillian Whyte and he doesn't fight like him either.
The Dillian Whyte experience proved I can compete up there with the top fighters.
SP: What does a day post-fight look like for you?
JF: I just try to relax, talk to my children and family. I'll see if I can do something fun before I go back home.
As for post-fight food, I do miss chorizo. I really love Spanish food a lot. I don't eat red meat anymore so I'll probably make some turkey chorizo or something.
I don't really crave food like I used to because I'm on a health journey now but I'll probably get some lamb chops in to celebrate post-fight. Chorizo is the one thing I'll crave because I haven't had any since I've been in camp.
SP: AJ has said he wants to fight Tyson Fury after this fight - what do you think of that?
JF: From my understanding Tyson Fury said he didn't want to fight AJ. I don't know how true that is because I'm not in their camps or negotiations. It'd be a good fight but Anthony Joshua won't get past me.
I feel so confident in myself. I feel like I can knock him out and if I don't do that then I will dominate the fight in a brutal fashion.
SP: AJ has come in at his heaviest and you're at your lightest. Will that play on either yours or AJ's mind?
JF: Nothing will change my mindset going into this fight but it may play on Anthony Joshua's mind. He and his team probably thought I was going to come in to the fight heavy and overweight. They probably thought I'd be slow and an easy target to hit but boxing isn't the sport to be getting complacent.
There's no such thing as being perfect, but I'm going to chase perfection.
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