Eddie Hearn reveals how Tony Bellew and Jermaine Franklin’s coach almost got into a fight

Eddie Hearn revealed Jermaine Franklin’s trainer provoked Tony Bellew at ringside before the two were separated by security guards following Anthony Joshua’s return to the ring on Saturday night.

Footage of the incident showed Bellew and a member of Franklin’s entourage engaged in heated ringside conversations after the fight ended.

Franklin’s trainer Lorenzo Reynolds, an undefeated former professional boxer, is physically restrained while attempting to address Bellew in front of a large security presence, and the BBC’s Steve Bunce intervened to prevent the incident from escalating.

After the event, Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn revealed that the incident was provoked by Reynolds yelling at former cruiserweight champion Bellew, who was providing analysis on the show for DAZN.

“I asked him, I think he just said that [Franklin’s] Trainer went on AJ or something and he yelled something and then he yelled something at Bellew. He’s probably the wrong person to yell at.’

Footage showed Tony Bellew involved in a heated incident with Jermaine Franklin’s coach Lorenzo Reynolds following the return of Anthony Joshua on Saturday

Bellew was led away by security forces while Reynolds was restrained during the scuffle

The mood in the ring also flared up after the last bell after an incident between the fighters

Although Joshua emerged with a decisive victory over the American in a sometimes gripping duel, he appeared to lack the killer instinct that characterized his early career.

After the fight reached the end of the 12th round, chaotic scenes played out inside the ring between the two fighters, forcing security forces to intervene.

At the O2 Arena, Joshua returned to the ring for the first time since being beaten a second time by Oleksandr Usyk in August, where he launched a bizarre tirade after the final bell.

Eddie Hearn later revealed that Reynolds had provoked the former cruiserweight champion

Joshua won a unanimous decision against Franklin, in his first fight since losing to Oleksandr Usyk in August

On Saturday, however, the 2012 Olympic champion held back on the microphone after the fight, even after the incident in the ring with his opponent.

It’s a different energy inside the ring, so my apologies to those watching. I respect Jermaine, Eddie [Hearn], Thank you for this opportunity. Fans, thank you too,” he added.

“It was important to win. Jermaine has a good duck and dive style, someone else from the UK will probably KO him; Respect to him, he did well.

“I should have knocked him out, but it’s done. On to the next. He’s here to prove himself, not keel over. I wish I could have knocked him out.’