Ebanie Bridges and Maya Jama pose with stunning Anthony Joshua ring girls as they join Arsenal star for Franklin bout
EBANIE BRIDGES and Maya Jama posed with the glamorous Anthony Joshua ring girls at the O2 Arena.
And a host of Premier League aces were in attendance for the heavyweight showdown last night.
Joshua slugged through 12 rounds to eventually get the better of American Jermaine Franklin.
The British star, 33, secured a 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 unanimous points victory.
And he was cheered on by a host of famous faces on the bank of the River Thames.
OnlyFans star turn boxer Bridges took her place in the 19,000-strong crowd while TV presenter and radio DJ Jama also headed along.
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The pair both got photos with ring girl Chloe Ellman-Baker, who followed in the footsteps of her mum.
Chloe was joined by her fellow ring girls Tehia Kristian, Alissa King-Underwood and Megan Christie for their big night.
Bukayo Saka headed up a star-studded list of footballers who watched AJ do enough to win.
The Arsenal winger was left out of the starting line-up for the 4-1 win over Leeds, thought to be due to illness.
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However, he came on for the last half an hour at the Emirates and then made the short trip across the capital for fight night.
Wilfried Zaha limped off in tears for Crystal Palace just before half-time against Leicester.
But despite fears that could have been his final Eagles appearance, he also headed along - as did Alex Iwobi whose Everton side face Tottenham on Monday night.
And pop star Liam Payne was all smiles with Eddie Hearn ringside ahead of the main event.
In the ring, AJ did not look back at his convincing best after two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
He threw 50 fewer punches than Franklin - but crucially landed double the number of his ex-roofer rival.
Arguably the most exciting part of the fight came AFTER the final bell.
The two men had to be separated by security as they refused to let go of each other after X-rated verbals at the end of the first.
Joshua apologised for his lacklustre display in an impassioned post-fight interview, saying: "That got a bit chaotic but I am calm now.
"I apologise to anyone who saw that. I respect Jermaine and all the fans.
"Jermaine had a good duck and dive style, he knew how to tuck up, he did well.
"I should have knocked him out but now it is done and we are on to the next.
"When people come to fight me they bring a different type of energy, he was not here to roll over."
The Watford star then called out Tyson Fury for a summer showdown.
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He said: "You know me, I like to provide for the fans. I know who the fans want. Who do the fans want?
"They said Fury? The ball is in his court, I will 100 per cent be honoured to compete for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world."
