The atmosphere at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on March 28, 2026, was nothing short of electric as rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma made his much-anticipated return to the ring. Facing off against American veteran Jermaine Franklin in the main event, Itauma delivered a performance that left fans and pundits alike buzzing about his world title prospects. The 21-year-old, already touted as one of boxing’s brightest prospects, wasted no time in reminding everyone why he’s considered a future champion.
Before stepping into the ring, Itauma boasted an unblemished record of 13-0 with 11 knockouts, having last fought in August 2025 when he dispatched former title challenger Dillian Whyte in just two minutes. Across from him stood Jermaine Franklin, a battle-tested heavyweight with a reputation for durability. Franklin entered the bout with a 24-2 record, 15 of those wins coming by knockout, and—crucially—had never been stopped in his career. He’d previously gone the distance with both Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte in the UK, losing on points but never tasting the canvas. Most recently, Franklin was coming off a solid win over Ivan Dychko in September 2025.
The anticipation for this clash was palpable as fans packed the sold-out arena. The main card, which streamed live on DAZN, featured a stacked lineup: Michael Gomez Jr vs Jordan Flynn, Alex Murphy vs Josh Holmes, Liam Davies vs Francesco Grandelli for the vacant European featherweight title, Shakiel Thompson vs Brad Pauls, Willy Hutchinson vs Ezra Taylor, and Nathan Heaney vs Gerome Warburton. But it was the heavyweight showdown that had everyone talking.
As the fighters made their way to the ring, the tale of the tape revealed Itauma’s physical advantages. At 6’4.5” and 242.1 lbs, Itauma stood an inch and a half taller and carried a two-inch reach advantage over the 258.4-lb Franklin. The age gap was also stark: Itauma, just 21, was 11 years Franklin’s junior. From the opening bell, Itauma set the tone with blistering hand speed and relentless pressure, backing Franklin up against the ropes and landing a flush uppercut in the very first round. Franklin, known for his craftiness and defensive prowess, tried to weather the early storm, but Itauma’s confidence and physicality were on full display.
The third round saw the momentum swing decisively in Itauma’s favor. After trapping Franklin in the neutral corner and working the body, Itauma landed a powerful right to the temple, sending Franklin to the canvas for the first time in the fight. The American managed to beat the count, displaying the grit that had defined his career, but the writing was on the wall. Itauma’s combinations and footwork kept Franklin off balance, and the younger fighter’s jab set up punishing shots upstairs and down.
Franklin showed flashes of resistance in the fourth, landing a pair of accurate body shots, but Itauma remained undeterred, maintaining pressure and dictating the tempo. The Manchester crowd sensed a finish was near, and they didn’t have to wait long. Midway through the fifth round, Itauma unleashed a devastating left uppercut followed by a thunderous right hand. Franklin crashed face first to the canvas, prompting referee Steve Gray to wave off the contest immediately. The arena erupted as Itauma bowed to the crowd, his record now a pristine 14-0 with 12 knockouts.
The significance of this win cannot be overstated. Franklin had never been stopped before, having survived twelve rounds with two of Britain’s top heavyweights. Itauma’s ability to not only knock Franklin down but finish him in such emphatic fashion sent a clear message to the rest of the division. As one ringside observer put it, “A beautiful shot, timed to perfection as he dispatches Franklin ruthlessly.”
In the aftermath, attention quickly turned to Itauma’s future. Promoter Frank Warren was effusive in his praise and optimism, stating, “He’ll be out again probably in July, and we’ll be announcing someone. We’ll sit down and look at a few things. He’s No. 1 in the WBO, he’s No. 1 in the WBA. There’s a lot of fights happening over the next few months, and we’ll talk something out. Don’t worry, it’ll be a big, big fight, because he’s a big, big fighter.” Warren’s confidence was palpable as he outlined the landscape at heavyweight, noting that Itauma is now ranked atop both the WBO and WBA rankings.
With Oleksandr Usyk currently holding the WBA, IBF, and WBC titles, the path to a world title shot is complex but promising for Itauma. Usyk is scheduled to defend his WBC belt in Egypt this June against famed kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. Warren explained, “Usyk’s fighting in Egypt in June. After that fight, he’ll be ordered to defend his WBC title, which (would be) against Agit Kabayel. If he doesn’t do that, he’ll get stripped, and then the next organization will order him to defend his belt. He’s got to defend his mandatories, that’s what they’re there for. I’m pretty confident (Itauma) will fight for the world title this year. Very confident.”
Another potential route could open up on May 9, when Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois—both Queensberry Promotions fighters—square off for the WBO title. Should Usyk vacate any of his belts in pursuit of lucrative matchups, Itauma may find himself fighting for a vacant championship. There’s also the WBA’s secondary heavyweight title, currently held by Murat Gassiev, an option that Warren and other promoters might consider as a legitimate world title opportunity.
After his victory, Itauma expressed his own ambitions, revealing, “If I’m being completely honest, I wanted the Hrgovic fight. But he’s fighting Dave Allen. I don’t know. We’ll go back to the drawing board and see who’s there. We’ll be back soon.” His measured response suggests a fighter who’s hungry but also strategic, waiting for the right opportunity to seize his moment on the world stage.
With his youth, power, and now a statement knockout over a respected contender, Moses Itauma has officially announced himself as a force in the heavyweight division. The Manchester crowd witnessed a star in the making, and the boxing world will be watching closely as the 21-year-old lines up his next challenge. Whether it’s a showdown with Wardley, Dubois, or even a shot at a vacated world title, Itauma’s ascent is gathering momentum—and after this performance, it’s clear he’s not just knocking on the door; he’s ready to kick it down.