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Itauma delivers decisive knockout in heavyweight showdown
Moses Itauma cemented his rising star status in heavyweight boxing by stopping Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena on Saturday night.
The fight
The 21-year-old Briton dismantled the American challenger with precision, landing sharp combinations and powerful punches throughout the bout. Franklin, who had never been stopped in 27 professional fights, hit the canvas in the third round but managed to recover-only to be knocked out cold by a clean uppercut in the fifth.
"I thought the first two rounds would go the distance," Itauma told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Then in the fifth, when I landed that uppercut, I wondered, *Did I really just do that?*"
Reaction and next steps
With his 12th stoppage in 14 pro fights, Itauma's victory has intensified speculation about a future world title shot. The Chatham heavyweight, promoted by Frank Warren, is now eyeing unified champion Oleksandr Usyk but says he will "wait my turn." Warren confirmed Itauma will return to the ring in July.
Franklin, previously defeated only by Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, suffered his first knockout loss in the bout.
Performance breakdown
Itauma's speed and tactical discipline stood out from the opening bell. Despite Franklin's resilience-including a third-round knockdown-he appeared overmatched as Itauma methodically broke him down. Trainer Ben Davison's corner advice, "It's a breakdown job," proved prophetic.
The 16,000-strong Manchester crowd erupted as Itauma entered the ring alongside British rapper Meekz, underscoring his growing popularity.
Questions and challenges ahead
While Itauma's power is undeniable, critics note his chin and stamina remain untested. Franklin landed a right hand in the fourth round, but Itauma merely smiled-raising doubts about how he'll handle bigger punchers in deeper fights.
Promoter Warren believes Itauma could compete for a world title this year, though some analysts argue it may be premature. Comparisons to Anthony Joshua's early career trajectory are inevitable: at the same stage, Joshua had 14 stoppages and was selling out London's O2 Arena. Itauma, however, has faced tougher opponents sooner.
Potential opponents
Itauma's team faces a strategic choice: continue a gradual climb against carefully selected rivals or accelerate his development with sterner tests. Names like Filip Hrgovic-who won't be blown away early-represent a significant step up. Domestically, Lawrence Okolie's unorthodox style could pose a unique challenge.
A bout with WBO champion Fabio Wardley seems unlikely in the near term, given both fighters share trainer Ben Davison.
Is Itauma ready for Usyk? The answer remains unclear, but his power and poise suggest the hype is justified-for now.
