Moses on the Rise

On March 28, 2026, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, Moses Itauma delivered a stunning performance by knocking out seasoned American heavyweight Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round. The 21-year-old British prospect, fighting southpaw, dominated from the opening bell and showcased his full arsenal—mixing sharp jabs, body shots, and precise power punches—while Franklin, a durable veteran with prior close losses to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, struggled to mount any significant offense. Itauma dropped Franklin in the third round and continued to break him down with superior speed, footwork, and technique. The fight ended dramatically midway through round five when Itauma landed a crushing left uppercut at close range, sending Franklin collapsing face-first to the canvas. The referee immediately waved off the contest at 1:32 of the round, awarding Itauma a technical knockout victory. This marked the first time anyone had stopped Franklin inside the distance. The win improved Itauma’s professional record to 14-0 with 12 knockouts, including his 10th consecutive stoppage, and further cemented his status as one of the brightest young talents in the heavyweight division. Many observers hailed the knockout—particularly the precise uppercut—as a potential “Knockout of the Year” candidate, while promoter Frank Warren and others suggested the performance positioned Itauma for a world title shot later in 2026. It was a statement performance that answered questions about Itauma’s ability to handle experienced opposition and go deeper into fights when needed.

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