Jermaine Franklin

Jermaine Franklin, widely known as the “989 Assassin,” has carved out his place within the American heavyweight landscape through a combination of perseverance, grit, and moments that have showcased his ability to operate amongst established names in the sport. Born on October 21, 1993, in Saginaw, Michigan, Franklin’s formative years were marked by a dual commitment to both education and athletics. This balance would set the tone for his disciplined approach as a professional fighter. His journey, forged in Michigan’s boxing circuits, reflects a broader theme of regional pride and the relentless pursuit of upward mobility within one of the sport’s most competitive divisions.

Franklin’s amateur history is both deep and decorated. He picked up gloves as a teenager, quickly distinguishing himself in the USA Boxing ranks. His amateur career saw him collect two Michigan Golden Gloves titles and, on the national stage, the National Golden Gloves crown at super heavyweight in 2014. He often competed against larger, more established opponents—a recurring theme for Franklin, who, at 6ft 3in and a reach of 77.2 inches, favoured sharp counterpunching and sound fundamentals over raw power alone. With more than 100 amateur contests under his belt, he developed a blend of boxing IQ and durability that enabled a seamless transition to the professional ranks.

Franklin made his professional debut on April 4, 2015, taking on Deshawn Jenkins at the Quality Inn & Suites in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was the kind of platform typical for new American heavyweights, appearing on regional cards before smaller audiences. Franklin wasted little time, scoring a first-round knockout and immediately signalling an appetite for swift, decisive victories. His formative pro years were marked by steady activity, typically fighting every few months and notching up wins over journeymen and local contenders. This phase of his career saw him establish a reputation for consistency and toughness, winning his first eighteen professional contests and earning recognition as one of the Midwest’s rising heavyweight prospects.

As Franklin progressed, his résumé began to feature stiffer opposition, testing his readiness for the next tier of competition. In July 2019, he was matched with Pavel Sour in Atlantic City, New Jersey, picking up a clear points victory in a bout where Franklin’s defence and ring generalship shone through. That same year, he delivered another measured performance against Jerry Forrest at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York, prevailing by split decision in a bout where he had to dig deeper against a skilled and determined opponent. These fights, coming against solid, durable opposition, provided Franklin with the kind of testing grounds that so often separate promising prospects from genuine contenders.

Franklin’s career reached its highest profile in the late 2020s, when he was finally matched with world-class opposition. In November 2022, he stepped into the limelight at Wembley Arena in London to face Dillian Whyte—a fighter with world title aspirations and previous wins over notable opponents like Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin. Franklin entered the ring as the underdog but produced a compelling performance, pressuring Whyte throughout and arguably outworking his rival for stretches of the contest. The bout went the distance, with Whyte securing a close majority decision, though a sizeable portion of observers felt Franklin’s output and composure warranted at least a draw. The result catapulted Franklin into broader discussions as a legitimate contender, earning him respect for his technical approach, resilience, and ability to adapt under pressure against world-class competition.

Having proven his capability at the higher echelons, Franklin attracted another major assignment just five months later, returning to London’s O2 Arena for a clash with Anthony Joshua. Joshua, the two-time unified heavyweight champion, stood at a pivotal point in his career, aiming to rebuild momentum following losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Franklin, again perceived as a substantial underdog, approached the contest with a clear tactical plan—emphasising head movement, an active jab, and an unwavering refusal to buckle under pressure. Throughout twelve bruising rounds, Franklin absorbed Joshua’s power and returned fire with counterpunches, drawing praise for his conditioning and tenacity. Joshua was awarded a unanimous decision, but Franklin’s ability to go the distance and compete effectively against one of the division’s marquee names further solidified his reputation as a battler capable of troubling elite-level opponents.

Though Franklin has not yet competed for a world title, his résumé includes these two high-profile appearances against Whyte and Joshua—an uncommonly daunting assignment for a fighter who emerged from Saginaw’s modest gym scene. His professional record, as of August 2025, stands at 22 wins and 2 defeats, with more than half those victories earned inside the distance. Franklin’s approach in the ring is marked by classic orthodox fundamentals, a crisp double jab, and a methodical tempo that contrasts with many of his heavyweight peers. He is known for his discipline and capacity to adjust, whether fighting on the inside against hulking opponents or using lateral movement to defuse power punchers.

The arc of Franklin’s career is shaped by a refusal to be defined by setbacks—a theme that runs from his amateur years through difficult, contested professional bouts. Between recognisable victories and those well-publicised defeats, Franklin’s willingness to accept tough assignments and operate outside his comfort zone remains untarnished. His journey from Midwest club shows to the bright lights of London embodies a narrative that boxing fans and historians savour: the emergence of a fighter who, unsatisfied by regional acclaim, courts risk in pursuit of respect on the global stage.

For Jermaine Franklin, the story remains ongoing, a testament to his endurance and adaptability in a division defined by unpredictability and power. He stands as a proven contender, driven not by bombast but by the kind of self-belief that only years of discipline and competition can generate. His career has systematically elevated him from local prospects to headline billing against world-class opposition, marking him out as a heavyweight whose future chapters merit close scrutiny. With each fight—be it a hard-fought decision or a leap into deeper waters—Franklin continues to test his mettle and not shy away from the defining challenges of his era, leaving open the possibility of still greater achievements on a landscape that remains both unforgiving and full of opportunity.