Moses Itauma Seeks Crucial Rounds Against Jermaine Franklin Following Knockout Streak

Posted : 28 March 2026

Moses Itauma is the name on every boxing purist’s lips, but the 21-year-old prospect enters the ring tonight with an unusual goal: he wants the fight to last. Despite a devastating nine-fight knockout streak, the Chatham-based heavyweight admits to feeling "underwhelmed" by his recent quick finishes. His destruction of Dillian Whyte in just 61 seconds last summer left him questioning the value of a 14-week training camp for such a brief encounter. Today, at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, Itauma faces Jermaine Franklin in a bout he hopes will finally test his stamina.

Itauma’s professional journey has been a masterclass in efficiency, but it has left him with a lack of "ring time." Across 13 successful professional contests, he has boxed a total of only 26 rounds. While his power is undeniable—boasting 11 knockouts—critics argue that he has yet to prove he can "swim in deep waters" against an opponent who can take his best shot. His early career featured two six-round distance fights against durable journeymen, which Itauma describes as a "wake-up call" that tempered his initial ambition to be world champion by age 20.

The man tasked with providing those answers is Michigan’s Jermaine Franklin. The 32-year-old American is widely regarded as one of the most durable figures in the heavyweight division. Franklin has never been stopped in his professional career, with his only losses coming on points against top-tier opposition in Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. Itauma acknowledges that if Joshua and Whyte could not floor the "tough cookie" Franklin, his own performance tonight will serve as a definitive litmus test for his world-title credentials.

Family remains the driving force behind the young star’s meteoric rise. Born to a Nigerian father and a Slovak mother, Itauma moved to the UK from Slovakia as a child to escape limited opportunities and systemic racism. He famously snubbed the Olympic path with Team GB to turn professional early, citing a "family first" mentality and the need to provide financial stability. His brother, Karol Itauma, remains a constant fixture in his camp, representing the tight-knit bond that fueled their 1,050-mile journey to Kent.

Looking beyond tonight, Itauma has already identified his next target. He is eyeing a clash with Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic to bridge the gap between being a contender and a world-title challenger. However, for now, all eyes are on Manchester. If Itauma can dismantle Franklin—or better yet, dominate him over the distance—the calls for a shot at the global throne will become impossible to ignore. Radio commentary for the bout begins at 19:20 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

Moses Itauma Seeks Crucial Rounds Against Jermaine Franklin Following Knockout Streak

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