Unbeaten Nigerian-born British heavyweight Moses Itauma sparks world title buzz with another brutal knockout. He demolished Jermaine Franklin inside five rounds on Saturday, March 29, in Manchester.
Itauma’s destructive finish cements his rise as a heavyweight sensation. The victory fuels serious talk of challenging for global championship belts soon.
Itauma’s Savage Fifth-Round Uppercut Stops Undropped Franklin Instantly
Moses Itauma, 21, knocked out the previously undropped American with a savage uppercut in the fifth round that ended the fight instantly.
Forcing the referee to wave it off before Franklin even hit the canvas.
The performance sent shockwaves through the heavyweight division.
Gustavo Olivieri confirmed post-fight he will recommend Moses Itauma as mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title.
WBO Heavyweight Title: Wardley vs. Dubois May 9 Clash
The belt heads to Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois on May 9.
Itauma’s stunning knockout victory positions him perfectly for a title shot.
Olivieri’s endorsement boosts the unbeaten heavyweight’s path to championship contention.
Franklin arrived with a reputation for durability after going the distance with Anthony Joshua and pushing Dillian Whyte to a controversial decision in 2022.
He was heavier than Itauma and walked into a hostile atmosphere from fans eager to watch the man many see as the heir to Mike Tyson.
Itauma set the tone from the opening bell, snapping jabs upstairs and digging straight lefts into the body.
Brave Franklin Fires Back, Taunts Itauma with Tongue
Moses Itauma landed a sharp right hook that dropped American Jermaine Franklin in round three.
Franklin beat the count bravely and battled through the punishing fourth round onslaught.
Itauma dominated relentlessly, wearing down his resilient opponent.
Franklin survived the barrage but couldn’t escape the inevitable destructive finish ahead.
The finish arrived early in the fifth.
A right hook barely slowed Franklin, but a perfectly timed Tyson-style uppercut ended the contest on the spot.
Warren Demands Itauma-Usyk Wembley Showdown Now
“Don’t you think we’d sell out Wembley Stadium if Moses Itauma fought Usyk there?
We’d fill it five or six times over right now,” Warren said. “I really think that fight should happen, and it could be ordered. Itauma is something special.
At this point, he is the best of anyone I’ve ever come across in the heavyweight division, without any doubt.”
Itauma: Best Heavyweight I’ve Ever Seen, No Doubt
Itauma remained calm despite the growing hype.
“Usyk has earned the right to do whatever he wants.
There’s a hierarchy that I obviously have to respect and I don’t pay attention to it.
I really don’t care what other heavyweights think or feel. I know the truth, and I know what I’m capable of.
All I need to do is just go out there and show it,” he said.
The knockout win marked Itauma’s 14th professional knockout.
