Rising heavyweight boxing contender Moses Itauma delivered a statement victory Saturday night, stopping Jermaine Franklin with a powerful uppercut in the fifth round before a large crowd in Manchester.
Itauma, 21, improved to 14-0 with 12 knockouts, showcasing a blend of speed, precision and power that has quickly elevated him among the division’s top prospects. Entering the bout ranked near the top by multiple sanctioning bodies, he controlled the fight from the opening bell and broke down Franklin with a steady barrage of punches.
Franklin, now 24-3, had previously gone the distance against top heavyweights, but he struggled to handle Itauma’s pace and accuracy. After being dropped in the third round, Franklin continued to absorb punishment before the decisive finish in the fifth.
The end came when Itauma adjusted his range and landed a clean uppercut that stunned Franklin, leaving him defenseless. A follow-up right hand sent Franklin to the canvas, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
“I’ve done something others haven’t,” Itauma said after the bout, referencing Franklin’s durability against previous opponents.
The fight drew more than 20,000 spectators to the arena, with a number of heavyweight contenders in attendance. Promoter Frank Warren said Itauma could be on track for a title opportunity in the near future.
“He’s ready for a big fight,” Warren said. “I’m confident he’ll challenge for a world title this year.”
Itauma set the tone early, targeting the body and head with a variety of punches. He staggered Franklin in the opening round and continued to apply pressure, mixing power shots with controlled movement.
Franklin showed resilience at times, engaging in exchanges and absorbing heavy blows, but he was unable to match Itauma’s speed and technique. By the middle rounds, the fight had become increasingly one-sided.
The victory further cements Itauma’s status as one of boxing’s most promising young heavyweights and signals his readiness to face higher-level competition.
Full Card Results:
Moses Itauma def. Jermaine Franklin (KO, Round 5) – Heavyweights
Gerome Warburton def. Nathan Heaney (unanimous decision) – Middleweights
Willy Hutchinson def. Ezra Taylor (unanimous decision) – Light heavyweights
Liam Davies def. Francesco Grandelli (corner stoppage, Round 6) – Featherweights
Brad Pauls def. Shakiel Thompson (technical knockout, Round 9) – Middleweights
Michael Gomez Jr. def. Jordan Flynn (technical knockout, Round 3) – Lightweights
Nelson Birchall def. Ryan Griffiths (technical knockout, Round 9) – Featherweights
Josh Holmes def. Alex Murphy (technical knockout, Round 1) – Lightweights
Aadam Hamed def. Michael Mooney (points) – Super lightweights
John Joe Carrigan def. Danny Costello (technical knockout, Round 3) – Super welterweights
Itauma’s performance underscores his rapid rise in the heavyweight division, where young contenders often take years to develop. His ability to stop a durable opponent like Franklin—who had previously gone the distance with elite fighters—marks a significant milestone.
The fight demonstrated not only Itauma’s knockout power but also his composure and ring intelligence. Rather than rushing for an early finish, he systematically broke down Franklin, adjusting his approach and capitalizing on openings.
The presence of other heavyweight contenders at ringside highlights the growing attention surrounding Itauma’s career. With multiple titles in play across the division, his trajectory suggests he could soon enter the mix for major fights.
Promoter confidence and strong fan turnout further indicate that Itauma is becoming a major draw. If his current momentum continues, a title shot within the next year appears increasingly likely.
SportingNews
