Moses Itauma reinforced his status as one of heavyweight boxing’s brightest stars with a destructive fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin. The fight took place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena.
The 21-year-old methodically broke down the American, landing crisp combinations and heavy power punches. Franklin had been brought in as a genuine test for Itauma.
Itauma’s Devastating Power on Display
Franklin climbed off the canvas in the third round, but was knocked out cold in the fifth by a clean uppercut. Itauma has an 86% knockout rate in his wins.
Itauma said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “The first two rounds I thought it would go the distance. Then in the fifth round when I caught with him the uppercut, I thought ‘did I really do that?'”
Future Plans for Itauma
Talk will now turn to bigger fights and world-titles after the unbeaten prospect recorded his 12th stoppage in 14 professional fights. His promoter, Frank Warren, said the Chatham heavyweight will be back out in July.
Itauma said he would “love to fight” unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk but added he will “sit and wait my turn”.
Franklin’s Perspective
Franklin – stopped for the first time in 27 bouts – had previously only been beaten by British fighters Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.
Itauma’s Performance Analysis
Around 16,000 fans packed into the Manchester arena. They greeted Itauma with a warm roar as he was walked to the ring by British rapper Meekz.
Itauma was in wonderful form from the first bell, using his speed and variation to send Franklin backtracking. In truth, the knockout felt inevitable even when 32-year-old Franklin managed to recover from a third-round right hand that sent him crashing to the floor.
Working behind a jab and picking his shots wisely, Itauma avoided anything reckless. “It’s a breakdown job,” trainer Ben Davison aptly told him between rounds.
Itauma’s devastating power is undeniable, once again on display as he dispatched a seasoned opponent inside the first half of the fight.
- His chin has yet to be properly tested.
- Franklin landed a right in the fourth, and Itauma just smiled.
- He is still unproven beyond six rounds.
- His engine and endurance are untested at the highest level.
Promoter Warren expects Itauma to fight for a world title this year.
At the same stage of his career, Anthony Joshua beat Gary Cornish to register a 14th stoppage and was selling out the O2 Arena. Itauma is on a similar trajectory, almost filling the Co-op Live Arena – and arguably facing higher-level opponents along the way.
Itauma is in a good position in several rankings for a world title shot.