Britain's premier heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma maintained his formidable and ominous trajectory on Saturday night, delivering a historic performance by becoming the first boxer ever to knock out the durable American Jermaine Franklin. The 21-year-old phenom needed just five rounds to secure the stoppage victory at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, further cementing his status as a future world-title contender.
A Dominant Display from Start to Finish
Itauma, fighting out of a southpaw stance, improved his pristine professional record to 14-0, with this victory marking his 12th finish. The crowd in Manchester witnessed a masterclass as the young British star systematically broke down his experienced opponent. The fight's pivotal moment arrived in the third round when Itauma trapped Franklin in a corner and landed a sharp, short right hand to the top of the American's head, sending him to the canvas for the first knockdown.
Franklin, aged 32, managed to beat the referee's count and survive the remainder of the round. He even showed brief defiance in the fourth, attempting to increase his offensive output after Itauma's blistering start. However, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished abruptly in the fifth.
The Final Blow and Controversial Stoppage
A perfectly timed rear uppercut from Itauma froze Franklin completely, leaving the American vulnerable and out on his feet. Itauma followed up immediately with a powerful right hand, prompting the referee to wave off the contest before the full ten-count could be administered. The stoppage, while drawing anger from Franklin's corner, was widely viewed as a fair and necessary intervention to protect the fighter's safety.
This victory carries significant historical weight. Jermaine Franklin's only previous professional losses were competitive points decisions against former world champion Anthony Joshua and British veteran Dillian Whyte. Itauma has now accomplished what those established British heavyweights could not: a definitive knockout victory over the tough American.
World Title Ambitions and Future Plans
The emphatic nature of Itauma's win has intensified calls for the Kent boxer to challenge for a world championship in the very near future. His promoter, Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions, strongly suggested that a world-title opportunity could materialise before the end of the year. Warren hinted at a potential return to the ring for Itauma in July, although that bout is unlikely to be for a world title given the current schedules of champions Oleksandr Usyk and Fabio Wardley.
In his post-fight interview, a jubilant Itauma expressed his gratitude and confidence. "I wanna say thank you very much for the Manchester crowd, I've had a lovely time," he stated. "Man, I'm happy to get the win. The Lord is good! I've done something that other British heavyweights – that have gone on to do great things – haven't been able to do."
He paid respect to his opponent, noting, "It takes two to tango, so I'm appreciative [of Franklin]. I tried to knock him out in the first, second round... but I just thought: 'Ah, maybe not today.' I switched it up, went to the body. It's not the shots you load up with, it's the shots you don't see." Itauma concluded with a humble yet ambitious declaration: "I'm just a young boy chasing a dream."
This latest triumph follows Itauma's stunning 119-second knockout of Dillian Whyte in August 2025. With each dominant performance, the anticipation grows for when this young prodigy's world-title dream will finally become a reality, as he continues to carve a unique and destructive path through the heavyweight division.
