Moses Itauma’s meteoric rise in the heavyweight boxing world continued on Saturday night at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, where the 21-year-old British southpaw became the first fighter to stop Jermaine Franklin Jr. inside the distance. In front of a sold-out crowd buzzing with anticipation, Itauma delivered a fifth-round knockout that not only extended his perfect professional record to 14-0 (12 KOs) but also amplified calls for a world title shot later this year.
The bout had been billed as Itauma’s toughest test yet. Franklin, a durable American from Saginaw, Michigan, had previously gone the distance in points defeats against former world champions Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte during his visits to the UK. No one had managed to put Franklin on the canvas for good—until now. Yet, from the opening bell, Itauma set a relentless pace, showcasing the speed, slick movement, and southpaw power that have made him one of the most talked-about prospects in the sport.
After a dramatic ringwalk accompanied by masked Mancunian rapper Meekz, Itauma wasted no time asserting himself. He let his hands go early, peppering Franklin with sharp lefts that snapped the American’s head back. Still, Franklin was game, taking his share of stinging blows and even landing a few counters that kept the British crowd on edge. The first two rounds saw Franklin using all his experience and toughness to stay upright, but the writing was already on the wall.
The breakthrough came in the third round. Trapping Franklin in the corner, Itauma landed a short right hand to the top of Franklin’s head. The shot, thrown with deceptive speed and precision, sent Franklin to the canvas for an eight count. “It’s not the shots you load up with, it’s the shots you don’t see,” Itauma reflected post-fight. Franklin managed to beat the referee’s count and survived the round, even rallying in the final seconds to show he wasn’t done yet.
Franklin’s resilience was on display in the fourth round as he came out of his shell, firing back with increased aggression. But Itauma, undeterred, continued to press forward behind a stiff jab and nimble footwork. The young Brit’s ability to cut off the ring and mix up his attack left Franklin increasingly vulnerable as the fight wore on.
Then, midway through the fifth, the moment arrived. Itauma set up with a jab and, with Franklin backed up against the ropes, unleashed a wicked left uppercut that froze the American in his tracks. Sensing the finish, Itauma followed up instantly with a right hand that sent Franklin crashing face first to the canvas. Referee Steve Gray immediately waved off the contest, stopping the fight before the count could be completed. While Franklin’s corner protested the stoppage, few in the arena doubted the fairness of the call—Franklin was out on his feet, and Itauma’s victory was decisive.
“Man, I’m happy to get the win. The Lord is good!” Itauma exclaimed to the Manchester crowd. He added, “I’ve done something that other British heavyweights – that have gone on to do great things – haven’t been able to do.” Indeed, Franklin’s only previous defeats had come via points, making Itauma’s stoppage all the more impressive. The young fighter was quick to acknowledge his opponent’s toughness, saying, “It takes two to tango, so I’m appreciative [of Franklin]. I tried to knock him out in the first, second round – tried to make some people some dough – but I just thought: ‘Ah, maybe not today.’ I switched it up, went to the body.”
For Itauma, this win was more than just another notch on his record. It was, in his words, the “final piece of the puzzle” before a world title fight. “I’d love to fight Usyk. There’s a pecking order I need to respect – I’ll wait my turn,” he told Dazn. With heavyweight champions Oleksandr Usyk and Fabio Wardley currently holding the division’s four major belts, the path to the top is clear but challenging. Promoter Frank Warren, who has overseen Itauma’s rapid ascent, suggested that a world title opportunity could be on the horizon before the end of 2026. “He’ll probably fight in July,” Warren revealed, hinting at one more tune-up bout before a potential championship challenge. “There’s a lot of fights over the next few months, we will sort something out. I’m pretty confident he will fight for a world title this year.”
Itauma’s rise has been nothing short of sensational. Turning professional just three years ago, he announced himself with a 23-second KO victory in his debut. Since then, he’s fought across the UK—including London, Glasgow, and now Manchester—as well as internationally in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His previous outing, a 119-second demolition of Dillian Whyte in August 2025, further cemented his reputation as a knockout artist. Saturday’s victory marked his twelfth stoppage in fourteen fights, and his first as a headline act in a sold-out UK arena.
Franklin, for his part, entered the fight on a three-bout winning streak since his loss to Joshua in April 2023. The 32-year-old had shown grit and durability throughout his career, but on this night, he simply couldn’t match Itauma’s combination of speed, power, and tactical acumen. Despite the defeat, Franklin’s willingness to face top contenders on foreign soil continues to earn him respect in boxing circles.
As the dust settled and the Manchester crowd roared its approval, Itauma soaked in the moment. “Thank you very much to the great Manchester crowd, I’ve had a lovely time. I’m happy to get the win. I’ve enjoyed my stay in Manchester, this is actually where I won my first national title. We come here seven years later, I’m picking up a win over Franklin.” He closed, “I’m just a young boy chasing a dream,” a reminder that, despite his growing accolades, Itauma remains hungry for more.
With promoter Frank Warren eyeing a July return and a world title shot potentially looming before year’s end, all eyes are now on Itauma’s next move. The heavyweight division may be stacked with talent, but after Saturday’s statement win, it’s clear that Moses Itauma is ready to take on the world—one knockout at a time.