Michael Hunter branded Anthony Joshua's fight with Jermaine Benjamin on April 1 as 'HORRIBLE.

HEAVYWEIGHT Michael Hunter labelled Anthony Joshua’s return fight against Jermaine Franklin as “HORRIBLE.”

AJ is set to announce Franklin as his comeback opponent on April 1, back at the O2 Arena for the first time in seven years.

Joshua, 33, is in need of a confidence-building win following consecutive points losses to Oleksandr Usyk, 36.

Meanwhile Franklin, 29, made a name for himself in November when he was beaten in a disputed decision by Dillian Whyte, 34.

But the bout has left Hunter, 34, left than impressed despite acknowledging Joshua is in a must-win situation.

He told Pro Boxing Fans: “The fight, I think, is horrible. Them training? I think that’s a good fit for Anthony Joshua because of his simplicity.

“I think that’s a horrible fight, but I think that maybe it’s good for Anthony Joshua as a personal fight for him. I do think that. But as far as a fan fight, no.”

Joshua is without a knockout since 2020, when he disposed of Kubrat Pulev, 39, in nine rounds.

And ex-world champion-turned retired pundit Dave Haye fears something is amiss if AJ does not make quick work of Franklin.

Haye, 42, said:  “He should beat Jermaine Franklin.

“It was a good fight he gave Dillian Whyte, so he’s shown he has some skills, he’s shown he’s got a nice jab and some good head movement.

“But if AJ can’t blast him out of there in three or four rounds, then he’s doing something wrong.

“He’s so much bigger and stronger, so much more athletic and punches so much harder – and he’s an Olympic gold medallist.

“So, he’s got everything in his favour, he just needs to go out there and let his hands go.

“If he goes out there and tries to have a boxing match with him then he will have a hard time because the guy is quite a tricky little boxer.”