Moses Itauma Seeks Rounds Against Jermaine Franklin in Manchester Showdown
British heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma hopes his fight against Jermaine Franklin tonight will finally provide the rounds he needs to prove his championship mettle. The 21-year-old prodigy continues his rapid ascent towards a world title shot, with this bout seen as a crucial test of his durability and skill.
Itauma's Meteoric Rise Faces Franklin's Durability Test
Moses Itauma's extraordinary journey in boxing's premier division has positioned him as a future world champion, despite his youth and relatively brief professional career of just 13 fights. His devastating second-round stoppage of former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in Riyadh last August demonstrated his frightening power, while none of his last nine opponents have survived beyond the second round.
However, Jermaine Franklin presents a different challenge entirely. The American veteran has never been stopped in his 26-fight career, with his only defeats coming via points decisions against elite opponents Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua. Itauma views Franklin as the perfect opponent to answer lingering questions about his ability to go the distance and handle sustained pressure.
Fight Time and Broadcast Information
The main event between Moses Itauma and Jermaine Franklin is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:30 PM tonight, with ring walks commencing shortly before. The full fight card begins at 3:10 PM, though all times remain subject to change depending on the duration of earlier bouts.
How to Watch: The fight will be streamed exclusively on DAZN, requiring either a monthly or annual subscription rather than a pay-per-view purchase. For audio coverage, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will provide live commentary. Notably, the bout will not be available on Sky Sports or TNT Sports due to DAZN's exclusive television rights.
Complete Fight Card and Undercard
- Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin
- Willy Hutchinson vs Ezra Taylor
- Shakiel Thompson vs Brad Pauls
- Nathan Heaney vs Gerome Warburton
- Liam Davies vs Francesco Grandelli
- Michael Gomez Jr vs Jordan Flynn
- Nelson Birchall vs Ryan Griffiths
- Alex Murphy vs Josh Holmes
- Billy Deniz vs Grant Dennis
- John Joe Carrigan vs Danny Costello
- Aadam Hamed vs Michael Mooney
Fighter Perspectives
Moses Itauma stated: "There remain significant questions about my capabilities that my team, myself, and the fans all want answered. People wonder about my chin and my ability to go the full distance. Jermaine Franklin has built his reputation on taking opponents deep into fights and providing stern tests. This feels like the final piece of the puzzle for my development. We've been pursuing this fight for approximately eighteen months."
Jermaine Franklin responded: "I perceive a certain level of disrespect, but that's simply part of the boxing business. I'm accustomed to the political games and tactical maneuvers that occur in this sport. My focus remains entirely on the fight itself. People will form their own opinions, but I know exactly what I'm capable of achieving in that ring."
The event takes place at Manchester's Co-op Live arena on Saturday, March 28, with DAZN subscriptions starting from £15.99 monthly or £24.99 for the DAZN Ultimate package.
