Promoter Frank Warren had this to say about young heavyweight Moses Itauma in the wake of Itauma's knockout of Jermaine Franklin last Saturday in Manchester, England: "Moses Itauma has proved himself to be an absolutely natural headline attraction at just 21 years of age. I actually think this young man has got it all and it is hard to think of a fighting attribute he doesn’t possess. Size, speed, skill, power, accuracy, athleticism, to name some that immediately spring to mind. Without wanting this to sound like a blatant promotional plug, I really recommend watching him live in person and up close to truly comprehend the magnitude of the talent we are lucky enough to be watching.

 

"Moses is that good and, even after just 14 fights and not that many as an amateur, there is hardly anyone I wouldn’t put him in with now. There is no need to rush into anything for the sake of it though. The best thing for Moses now - and us as boxing fans - is to just keep him fighting and give more and more people the chance to be part of the journey. The WBO have installed Moses at #1 and I believe the WBA will do likewise, which will make it easier when it comes to forcing a world title shot. In the shorter term the plan is to get Moses back out in July and to build on his performance against Franklin.

 

"Credit to Franklin, he did what we hoped he would do and that was to provide some resistance and give Moses something to think about. We knew he was a tough customer and nobody’s fall guy. And so it proved. Moses has made another statement and it is interesting to see that leading fighters from across the world, particularly in the US, are sitting up and taking notice now.

 

PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE

 

MARCH 29, 2026: On Saturday night, Moses Itauma continued to flash future champion potential when he beat tough American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin by knockout. Landing the final blow in the fifth round, Itauma wore his opponent down, sending him to the canvas in the third before finishing off Franklin two sessions later, inflicting the first stoppage defeat of Franklin’s career. For those thousands in attendance, it was a performance to behold, and one which launches Itauma into sporting superstardom. Itauma begin his attack by targeting Franklin’s body, two lefts put the British southpaw in charge.

 

While Franklin’s corner was urging their man into the centre of the ring, Itauma had him backed up and methodically picked his shots with serious spite. The closing seconds of the first saw the 21-year-old land two successive right-left combinations and Franklin was already on the ropes. The second saw Franklin attempt to take the fight to Itauma, but his attempted swings to the body were easily blocked.

 

A thumping Itauma right dug into Franklin’s midriff, but he still stood in front of his foe who pressed on. Backed on to the ropes, Franklin attempted to gain his opponent’s respect by throwing some shots, albeit none landed. Itauma’s right hand had Franklin in trouble in round three. The American was trying his best to force Itauma back off the ropes, but with every jab, Itauma went on the front foot and made him a sitting duck.

 

The first knockdown came with around 25 seconds to go, a left faint, followed by a right hand had Franklin down, but he managed to meet the referee’s count.

 

In the fourth session, Itauma kept up the intensity, and the crowd backed it up with chants of ‘Moses Itauma’, making the Co-op Live a bear pit for what was becoming a beatdown. Franklin landed a rare jab, which had little effect. But he did hit Itauma with a right hand of his own, and for the first time in the fight, Franklin had some success.

 

The knockout blow came in round five when Itauma hit a left uppercut, leaving Franklin emotionless before finishing him off with a straight right with 87 seconds remaining on the clock.

 

The crowd went into raptures following the finish, and Itauma bowed to the crowd, knowing he put on a performance fitting for a superstar.

 

Questions were answered, Itauma showcased what he can do past the early rounds, and did not get caught in the headlights following the first knockdown in round three. Instead of going reckless in search of the kill, Itauma continued to be methodical with his shot selection.