British heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma delivered a stunning performance in Manchester, knocking out Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round to maintain his perfect professional record. The 21-year-old prospect showcased his formidable power and skill, becoming the first fighter to stop the resilient American, who had previously gone the distance with Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in the UK.
Itauma's Dominant Display Secures Emphatic Victory
Itauma, fighting at the sold-out Co-op Live Arena, wasted no time asserting his dominance. Landing several sharp southpaw lefts early on, he consistently rocked Franklin's head back, though the American initially remained upright. The British fighter, who had stopped his last nine opponents within two rounds, faced a tougher challenge as Franklin survived past that benchmark, even rallying briefly at the end of the third round.
Fifth-Round Knockout Seals the Deal
The decisive moment came midway through the fifth round when Itauma unleashed a brutal combination. A punishing left uppercut followed by a powerful right hand sent Franklin crashing face-first to the canvas. Referee Steve Gray immediately waved off the contest, handing Itauma his 14th consecutive victory and amplifying calls for a world title shot.
Itauma had previously knocked Franklin down in the third round with a short right hook behind the ear, earning the American an eight count. Despite Franklin's recovery in the fourth, the gulf in class was evident as Itauma displayed superior speed, footwork, and ringcraft throughout the fight.
Post-Fight Ambitions and Future Plans
After the victory, Itauma expressed his gratitude to the Manchester crowd and outlined his ambitions. "I'd love to fight Usyk," he told Dazn, referring to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. "There's a pecking order I need to respect – I'll wait my turn." He described Franklin as the "final piece of the puzzle" before a world title fight, acknowledging the American's robustness as a key test.
Promoter Frank Warren confirmed plans for Itauma to have one more tune-up fight in July before targeting a world title bout later in 2026. "I'm pretty confident he will fight for a world title this year," Warren stated, highlighting the youngster's rapid ascent in the heavyweight division.
Franklin's First Knockout Loss
For Franklin, this marked his first knockout loss in a career that had seen him withstand heavy punishment from top-tier opponents. Despite absorbing stinging blows and showing moments of resilience, including sticking out his tongue after a big left in the third round, he was ultimately overwhelmed by Itauma's power and precision.
The fight, preceded by a ringwalk performance from Mancunian rapper Meekz, underscored Itauma's growing reputation as one of boxing's most exciting prospects. With his unbeaten record intact and a highlight-reel knockout to his name, the British boxer's call for a world title shot now carries significant weight in the competitive heavyweight landscape.
