Franklin set to be dealt a Body blow

IT IS a great time to be a heavyweight in this country. I can’t recall a period like it. And for those in and around the world scene, it seems they are never out of contention.

Although he waited long enough to get his chance I’m not sure Dillian Whyte is worthy of another crack at a world title on the basis of his performance at that level, well beaten by Tyson Fury.

He was also beaten by Anthony Joshua on his way up and has lost to Alexander Povetkin.

But for him, personally, it is great that a win against the undefeated American prospect Jermaine Franklin at Wembley will fire him right back in the picture.

We had Franklin in the gym sparring with Daniel Dubois. He’s not tall for a heavyweight, around 6ft 1in, but he is a big lump.

Like Whyte he does not present the body beautiful, but then neither did Larry Holmes, and Fury is not Michelangelo’s David material either.

Franklin (above right with promoter Eddie Hearn and Whyte) is not a big puncher but has fast hands and throws quick combinations. From what I saw in the gym he has the potential to spring an upset if Whyte is off his game.

Whyte has the power to trouble anyone as he showed when avenging the defeat to Povetkin. He has based himself in the States and is now working with Buddy Mcgirt, a coach whom I respect.

Indeed Franklin’s team can learn a lot from him in terms of how they go about business. We had to ask his trainer Jesse Addison to leave the gym for being unnecessarily disruptive and rude.

He was at it again at the media conference. I get it. The game encourages this kind of mouthy nonsense. It drives interest to a degree, but we could do without it in the workplace.

Franklin is a nice kid. I don’t know if he has the tools to take his career forward. His previous opponent had lost 21 times. Before that he racked up four points wins in 10-rounders.

I would expect Whyte to prevail. The Bodysnatcher has the capacity to end any contest early. If he does he will be joining the queue with the likes of Joe Joyce, Dubois (circled) and Joseph Parker looking to land a big fish early next year.

If he loses it’s back down the ladder until another opportunity pops up.