ANTHONY JOSHUA has received shock support from Tyson Fury’s dad John – who is still holding out for a super-fight with his son.
Joshua returns on April 1 against Jermaine Franklin following consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
It has left AJ out of the title picture and fighting to revive his career, while Fury is in talks to unify the belts against Usyk.
But his dad John urged British fans to get behind Joshua, 33, so he can bounce back and set up the bout the nation wants most.
He told The Express, via Free Bets: “Listen, AJ’s a great kid, fans shouldn’t be turning against him and if they’re, then it’s wrong.
“AJ has given the public some great nights and they should support the man.
“Let me tell you this, the best is yet to come from AJ, so the fans should get behind him and let’s get him back to winning ways again and make the super fight once Tyson is done with the Ukrainian rabbit.
“It’s the biggest fight in boxing, absolutely. It’s bigger than Usyk. Joshua and Tyson is still a great fight.
“So, I urge fans, get behind the man don’t kick him when he’s down.”
Fury, 34, is still in talks to face Usyk, 36, on April 29 at Wembley, which would be the first four-belt unification in heavyweight history.
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Meanwhile, weeks beforehand Joshua returns against American Franklin, 29, who was beaten by Dillian Whyte, 34, in November.
It is the first step in AJ’s confidence-building comeback but John is no fan of the choice of opponent.
He said: “If his name was Anthony Fury, he’d be selling them out, wouldn’t he? But unfortunately, his name is Anthony Joshua and it’s a s*** fight.
“I’m only being honest. You know, who knows Jermaine Franklin over here? He’s a good fighter but he’s got no name and it’s a D-level fight.”
