Rising heavyweight star Moses Itauma delivered a brutal statement performance in Manchester, stopping Jermaine Franklin via fifth-round knockout to maintain his unbeaten run and announce himself as a serious contender in world boxing.
The 21-year-old British-Nigerian prospect became the first fighter to stop Franklin in his professional career, sealing victory with a vicious uppercut that ended the contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
Dominance from Start to Finish
From the opening bell, Itauma’s speed, movement, and precision proved too much for the experienced American. Franklin showed resilience early on, absorbing pressure and attempting to respond, but the gap in class became increasingly clear.
The breakthrough came in the third round when Itauma dropped Franklin with a powerful shot, setting the tone for the finish. By the fifth, the Nigerian-rooted southpaw unleashed a devastating uppercut followed by a finishing combination that forced the stoppage.
The result moves Itauma to 14-0 with 12 knockouts, further strengthening his growing reputation as one of the most dangerous young heavyweights in the sport.
Historic Win Against a Proven Opponent
Franklin entered the bout as a durable and tested opponent, having previously gone the distance with elite names like Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.
But in Manchester, Itauma achieved what neither of those fighters could—a stoppage victory over the American.
That achievement marks a significant step up in competition and signals that the British-Nigerian talent is ready for bigger challenges on the global stage.
With the victory, Itauma successfully retained his WBA International and WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight titles, while further positioning himself in line for a future world title opportunity.
What Next for Itauma?
The big question now is: who can test Itauma next?
Having passed arguably his toughest test yet, attention is turning toward higher-ranked opponents. Possible next steps could include:
- A clash with established contenders in the WBO or WBA rankings
- A title eliminator bout within the next 12 months
Or a headline fight against a top-10 heavyweight
- There are already whispers of potential matchups against elite names as promoters look to fast-track his rise.
At just 21, Itauma’s blend of power, composure, and technical skill suggests Nigeria may have another global boxing superstar on its hands—one capable of following in the footsteps of heavyweight greats.