Moses Itauma vs. Jermaine Franklin | DAZN - 28 March 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Live presser

[KiwiRider]

Looking forward to this fight.

Well there has been naff all heavyweight action this year to look forward to. This should have been an undercard fight, or co-main event at best. But things are so dire, this is all we get dished up and it's late March.
Prospect vs Journeyman

Been a lack of anything decent this year and it's the end of March so even the merest of crumbs is tempting

I know Tony, and I'm bloody glad I don't have subscriptions ticking along because I wouldn't be using them. Boxing is usually a bit naff from January to mid February, but the heavyweight situation is naff from late last year, and the champion has been out even longer.

[MightyWarrior]

Yeah thank God there’s some decent boxing this weekend, even if the magnificent seven description is way off the mark.

Incidentally why is the DAZN WhatsApp not mentioning this bill at all??

So, looking at the underwhelming looking Franklin’s record, it seems he does have a chance here. He’s definitely got a chin on him and he may be well up for this without anyone actually realising he is.

And as a rule of thumb, a sensational hard-hitting prospect is never usually as good as he seems. And when he doesn’t get the early blow out, which presumably he won’t, we might see Moses tested like we haven’t seen before.

Messed around and outboxed with a jab thudding into his face, things might get very interesting.

And since this is heavyweight, maybe DAZN will be carrying a Spanish-speaking feed? because please God, there’s no way I can listen to that boneheaded cretin Smith for more than an hour without throwing the tv out the window.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Moses Itauma, despite comparisons to Mike Tyson, is his own man

The meteoric rise of young heavyweight Moses Itauma since he turned professional just three years ago has drawn comparisons to that of Mike Tyson.

It’s not hard to see why. The 13-0 Itauma has 11 knockouts to his name and has a habit of getting his foes out of there quickly and violently, much like “Iron” Mike did during his heyday. In fact, Itauma only managed 5 minutes and 45 seconds of in-ring action last year after blasting through opponents Mike Balogun and Dillian Whyte. That has led to his promoter, allegedly, drafting in Jermaine Franklin in hopes of giving Itauma rounds this Saturday at Manchester’s Co-op Live.

Perhaps the most striking comparison between the 21-year-old Itauma and Tyson is their success at such a young age. Professional boxing is a man’s game, which makes it impressive that Itauma is already being considered the heir to Oleksandr Usyk’s throne, and even fancied by some to become the one to blemish the Ukrainian’s perfect 24-0 record. Tyson was, and still is, the heavyweight division’s youngest-ever champion, defeating Trevor Berbick in 1986 at just 20 years old. Itauma set out to break Tyson’s record but fell short when he turned 21 in December. The comparisons still continue.

“I like it and I don't, because obviously it's great to be compared to such a legend in the sport, but I feel like the comparison is success at a young age,” Itauma told Boxing Scene and other reporters. “Apart from that, there's not really much to say that we're very similar. I guess we're kind of polar opposite. I guess we both just love knockouts.”

How does Moses Itauma compare to Mike Tyson when they were the same age?

Itauma faces his toughest test this Saturday in Jermaine Franklin!

Another KO incoming? pic.twitter.com/Ztthz3kp7w

— BS.com (@BS) March 25, 2026



Itauma, mature beyond his years, may be right. The comparisons largely end there. He may not yet have a belt wrapped around his waist like Tyson did at 21 – in fact Tyson held all three available by his age – but he also carries none of the chaos that came with it. Tyson was a beast in the ring, but his true struggles came outside of it.

Itauma is a stark contrast. He never gets ahead of himself and appears uninterested in the cameras and the world of social media. All he is focused on is the fight, the belts and his family.

So how does he avoid the path that consumed Tyson in his younger years?

“I think you have to have the right people around, and I feel like you need to have the difficult conversations sometimes,” said Itauma, from Chatham, Kent. “I feel like a lot of people need to have difficult conversations that they choose to avoid. It's unknown, but like I said, I know that I've got Jermaine Franklin and I know what the crack is with that, and whatever the future is, the future is, isn't it?

“I can take what I like about Mike Tyson, but it doesn't mean I have to be that person. I've always said, my blessing from being in Tyson Fury's camp was being able to speak to him and spending time around him, picking up on certain things. Like when I went to train with him in Malta and in Saudi Arabia, I had conversations that I needed to have, do you get what I mean? And it's like, when I'm obviously rubbing shoulders with Anthony Joshua [Itauma’s former stablemate] and that's more of a bigger blessing.

“With Mike Tyson, I can appreciate the career he's had. That doesn't mean I need to be like him, because I'm my own man.”

That doesn’t mean Itauma isn’t listening when the right lessons are being imparted. Not only has he sharpened his skills by sharing gyms with two of the most decorated heavyweights of the modern era in Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, but his mindset has developed there, too.

“The biggest lesson I've learned from Tyson Fury would probably be, to have success you need to have a little bit of not caring,” Itauma said of his time training with Fury for his two bouts with Usyk. “If you care too much then you might just miss it. From AJ, I'd probably say, you're a citizen of the world – don't tie yourself down to one entity.”

Despite once learning from Fury and Joshua, Itauma has quickly become a rival of the two Britons. Both men are in the twilight of their careers, and neither appears likely to face the young southpaw before hanging up their gloves.

“I don't feel like I need to build my career off a win,” Itauma said of the likelihood of never facing Fury or Joshua. “Like, I've headlined as a 20-year-old. I've headlined in Saudi Arabia as a 21-year-old. I'm headlining in Manchester. I'm not building my career off other people's backs, I'm actually doing it, I guess, my own way.

“I guess every fighter has had a passing-of-the-torch [moment]. Although I respect these fighters, I don't need to have their career. I don't need to be that person, I can be my own man … but I'm not too bothered like that. Tyson and AJ, they've got their own thing going on. And me, I've currently got Jermaine Franklin.

“So at the minute, I'm not really thinking about that.”

Itauma’s focus is firmly on this Saturday’s opponent. Durable and experienced, Franklin has yet to be stopped as a professional, and there is a hope he will finally drag the hard-hitting Itauma into deep waters.

“The reason why we want rounds is because the last time I went the distance was with Kevin Nicolas Espindola [in 2023],” Itauma said. “So that was my full fight in, and beating Dillian Whyte has kind of put me on a new trajectory. The first time that I'm going into the eighth round, ninth round, 10th round can't be against someone like Fabio Wardley, Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk, Agit Kabayel or whatever. I need to know what it's like to experience the latter part of fights, so that is why we've got Jermaine Franklin: He's tough, he's durable, and not only that, he comes to fight.

“So for me, this is a perfect fight. We were actually asking for the Jermaine Franklin fight for the Dillian Whyte fight. It might have been for like a year and a half that we've been asking for Jermaine Franklin. So now that we've got the fight, I'm happy. I'm pleased because now I can finally answer the questions that my team have been asking and what I've been asking of myself. I know I can do it in the gym. I've done it multiple times. But now it's about doing it under the bright lights.”

The question remains whether Itauma can take a shot. Franklin, 24-2 (15 KOs), isn’t considered one of the biggest punchers in the division, but he has enough pop to test Itauma’s chin.

“Obviously, when I was boxing [as an amateur], I was boxing with a head guard, big gloves and, until now, probably like Dillian Whyte – maybe Demsey McKean – they're the kind of only people that I guess you could say are big punchers that would be able to cause some damage,” said Itauma. “Obviously, they weren't able to land the shot. It's not my fault, so yeah, we'll see.”

The uncertainty is not something that weighs heavily on Itauma’s mind. If anything, it is part of the process – another question to be answered in time rather than something to obsess over.

“I actually never focus on the outcome of a fight, so when people are asking, ‘What do you think of the fight,’ or ‘What's your prediction?’ I genuinely don't know, because I don't even think about it. The only thing I think about is sticking to the game plan that my team has prepared and the game plan that I've been planning for 14 weeks.

“That's what's on my mind, the outcome or that it's irrelevant. It's irrelevant because boxing is all opinionated. Me and you might be watching the same fight, but we've got two different opinions. So getting a win for me, I don't really care because it's someone's opinion, whereas a knockout is a knockout.

“If I stick to the game plan and I've prepared diligently – I don't feel like there's any heavyweight that could withstand my own capability.”

If his performances match his composure, Itauma may not only shake off the comparisons to “Iron” Mike but also etch his own name into the history books.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jermaine Franklin not just here to make up the numbers

Jermaine Franklin isn’t merely coming to give the hard-hitting Moses Itauma rounds this Saturday at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

Itauma, 13-0 (11 KOs), has cemented himself as one of the most promising fighters not just in the heavyweight division, but in boxing. The 21-year-old is yet to box over six rounds and managed only five minutes and 45 seconds worth of ring action last year. That has led to his promoter, allegedly, bringing in the experienced and durable Franklin as Itauma’s next foe.

Franklin’s role this weekend in Warren’s eyes is to give his heavyweight prodigy much needed rounds ahead of challenging the division's elite later this year. Few give the 24-2 Franklin a chance of victory.

So how does Franklin feel about the expected role he has been brought into play heading into the scheduled bout this Saturday?

“I'll put it like this, most of my career I've been on the B-side, so even when I started pro I was in everybody's backyards beating them up,” said Franklin. “So, this has been the story my whole career. I don't come here to get knocked out, I don’t come here to get beat up, so it's just words at this point.”

There are high hopes for young Itauma, who has already been picked by many as the heir apparent to Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight throne.

Franklin has his own ambitions in the sport.

“To bring the belts back home and be the face of American boxing, that's the goal,” Franklin said. “I don't think [a win over Itauma] directly gets me to a world title shot, but he gets me back in the conversation. I look at every fight the same, every fight's a tough fight, I never overlook anybody, so I treat him like a world champion when we go in there.”

Franklin is fully focused on Itauma and has been watching the youngster’s progression well before he signed to be his opponent.

“I'm a student of the game so I watch a little bit of everybody else around,” he said. “I'm not scared of anybody, I don't like to overthink anybody so everybody's just a man like I am. I mean he's fast, he's got good hand speed.”

Despite Itauma’s impeccable start to his career, Franklin admitted there is still much for the 21 year old to learn about the professional ranks.

“It's a lot of little stuff, like early in the game when you're strong and young you think you can knock everybody out, but the older you get, the more fights you have, you realise that's not possible,” he said. “Some people are gifted, like crazy one punch strength, but a lot of people are not, so if you don't have it, don't expect to just get rid of everybody.

“I had that problem growing up, and then another problem I had was being awfully aggressive, so now I know how to take my time and be calm and use the back foot now – which I actually think I fight better on my back foot in my opinion. But it's just small minor stuff you learn with experience I would say, but those are probably two of the biggest things.”

So how does Itauma compare to Franklin when he was just a young professional learning his trade?

“He looks a little more polished than I was earlier in my career, but in my personal opinion I'm kind of awkward a little bit,” said Franklin. “I box good, but my movement and how I throw punches is probably awkward to other boxers. So I would say he's using his polish as his advantage and I use my awkwardness as my advantage.”

Many believe Itauma is the heavyweight division’s next king.

“I mean, yeah, but that's boxing, in any sport you always project it to be the next or you always compare it to somebody else,” Franklin said of the talk surrounding his foe. “So I would say it's normal, it is a little bit slighted, but it's normal, it happens.”

It is also expected that Itauma will become the first man to stop Franklin this Saturday – something both Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte failed to do.

“I mean, everybody says they've got power until they hit me, and then they second-guess their power,” Franklin said. “So I think after he gets big shots off and you see that doesn't do too much, it might mentally mess with him.

“He's still young, so some stuff he hasn't seen, some stuff he still has to adjust to and capitalize off of, so I think I can use that to my advantage. I'm a good reader, so I feel like if he shows me something in a fight or he starts to become worried, I'll be able to see it and capitalize off of it.”

So, is Franklin’s plan to take Itauma to the deep waters he is yet to swim in?

“My plan is always to win the fight by any way possible,” he said. “Whether that's a unanimous decision, whether it's a knockout, whether it's an ugly close fight and a split, my plan is still to win in any way I've got to get the job done.”

Some will point to the pair's one common opponent, Dillian Whyte, as an indication to how the fight may play out.

Itauma stopped Whyte inside two minutes of the opener back in August; Franklin lost a close decision in 2022.

“It wasn't the same Dillian I fought at all,” said Franklin of Itauma’s contest in August. “Dillian didn't even punch, but Moses did what he came to do. No knock to Moses, he did what he was supposed to do. He's a fighter, but the Dillian I fought was ready to fight.

“I don't know about that Dillian, he was just standing there taking it. He cut a whole bunch of weight and shit, so I don't know if that could have been it. I heard he had a knee injury, but I don't know how true that is. But, you know, this is boxing. A lot of stuff comes out.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Live weigh in

[Glass Joe]

Live weigh in

Was on at 5pm I watched a bit

[mickey1975]

Two red flags about Franklin. One, he's come in out of shape and very heavy and two, he's never faced a top heavyweight before.

[CaptainSpacerod]

lol

let it go Mickey

[Ruthless-RKO]

lol

let it go Mickey

Im not a huge AJ fan, but the trolling is past its sell by date now.

[mickey1975]

lol

let it go Mickey

Im not a huge AJ fan, but the trolling is past its sell by date now.

Your "Fight week!" Posts every Monday morning on ten seperate threads has got to be trolling.

[KiwiRider]

Two red flags about Franklin. One, he's come in out of shape and very heavy and two, he's never faced a top heavyweight before.

Over 20 pounds heavier than he did with Joshua. And that fight he actually trained for a 12 round performance.
Although he has been up to 277 he performed career best against Joshua at 234.

[Ruthless-RKO]

lol

let it go Mickey

Im not a huge AJ fan, but the trolling is past its sell by date now.

Your "Fight week!" Posts every Monday morning on ten seperate threads has got to be trolling.

That’s not trolling..

That’s keeping the fight threads towards the top. They’re relevant for that week.

What usually happens. The threads get lost on page 2, people don’t search and end up creating whole new threads

[mickey1975]

Im not a huge AJ fan, but the trolling is past its sell by date now.

Your "Fight week!" Posts every Monday morning on ten seperate threads has got to be trolling.

That’s not trolling..

That’s keeping the fight threads towards the top. They’re relevant for that week.

What usually happens. The threads get lost on page 2, people don’t search and end up creating whole new threads

We got a Tommy Fury v Matt Floyd one this week. The fight isn't even happening and if it was we didn't need reminding of it at the start of the week.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Your "Fight week!" Posts every Monday morning on ten seperate threads has got to be trolling.

That’s not trolling..

That’s keeping the fight threads towards the top. They’re relevant for that week.

What usually happens. The threads get lost on page 2, people don’t search and end up creating whole new threads

We got a Tommy Fury v Matt Floyd one this week. The fight isn't even happening and if it was we didn't need reminding of it at the start of the week.

Ok

[CaptainSpacerod]

lol

let it go Mickey

Im not a huge AJ fan, but the trolling is past its sell by date now.

Your "Fight week!" Posts every Monday morning on ten seperate threads has got to be trolling.

Sad though it might make me seem, I kind of look forward to Ruthie's "fight week" posts for big fights, it kind of starts the snowball of excitement rolling. Almost like opening the first window on your advent calendar as a kid.

[KiwiRider]

Im not a huge AJ fan, but the trolling is past its sell by date now.

Your "Fight week!" Posts every Monday morning on ten seperate threads has got to be trolling.

Sad though it might make me seem, I kind of look forward to Ruthie's "fight week" posts for big fights, it kind of starts the snowball of excitement rolling. Almost like opening the first window on your advent calendar as a kid.

Same.
Saves a lot of time too, when the information is all compiled in a thread with updates. You also don't whinge when someone is doing it for the love of the sport for free and your not doing f/a except whinging.

[MightyWarrior]

Yeh 100%, Ruthie keeps this forum running with his updates and reminders - brilliant work all round

[Twinkle Toes]

Franklin wont last long. He's got this fight for a reason, it doesn't look like he's even trained.

Side note, keep up the good work Ruthless

[paultom]

Yeh 100%, Ruthie keeps this forum running with his updates and reminders - brilliant work all round

agreed, keep up the excellent work Ruthie

[mickey1975]

Looks like it will be a complete sell out. First time for boxing there, I think.

[keithmoonhangover]

Yeh 100%, Ruthie keeps this forum running with his updates and reminders - brilliant work all round

agreed, keep up the excellent work Ruthie

Agreed.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Thanks lads

You took an L there Mickey.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sorry Mick..

But..

It’s..

Fight Night!!!

[paultom]

Sorry Mick..

But..

It’s..

Fight Night!!!

someones's 0 must go