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Promoter Dmitriy Salita believes heavyweight contender Jermaine Franklin is still very much in the frame to become an elite fighter in his weight class.
Franklin has now suffered back to back decision losses.
Last November, he lost a close twelve round majority decision to Dillian Whyte - although some observers felt Franklin had done enough to win.
And last Saturday night in London, Franklin lost a twelve round unanimous decision to former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua.
Salita felt Franklin showed his worth in the two defeats.
"Back-to-back world class performances for Jermaine," Salita told Sky Sports.
"Once again last night Jermaine showed that he has the ability to be an elite heavyweight in the division. Jermaine will learn, grow and I believe has all the skills to be a heavyweight world champion.
"Much respect to Joshua - he is a class act. I know he had the pressure of the world on his shoulders last night, but did a good job and put himself in the mix for mega fights in the division."
Franklin displayed a world class chin, as he was able to take Joshua's best punches and was never in danger of going down.
Joshua himself was coming off back to back defeats. The victory was the first for Joshua since stopping Kubrat Pulev in December 2020.
"Deep, deep, deep down, I'm not happy because the ultimate goal is a knockout," said Joshua. "There's nothing that can top a knockout. There were opportunities. Opportunities where I pushed [for a KO]. But you know what as well, I'm fighting someone who came in with a plan to win, he had a good training camp. You saw him last time out [against Whyte]. He's done well to stay in there.
"I can't blame Franklin for anything that goes on in that ring because it's all about me. I've got to take accountability, so if I didn't want Franklin to hold me, I've got to move my feet, create space. That's just down to me and if I would have created space, I would have been able to get that knockout, so it's not him. It's all me."
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