Yesterday, March 28, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, 15,000 spectators gathered to attend “The Magnificent 7” event organized by Queensberry Promotions of Frank Warren. The highly anticipated main event saw the 21-year-old southpaw Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs), widely regarded as the best prospect among heavyweights of his generation, brutally knock out 32-year-old Michigan native Jermaine Franklin Jr. (24-3) in five rounds.
The fight
The ring announcer first called Franklin Jr. to the ring for his third fight in England. Then Itauma was announced, and the arena erupted: the crowd was entirely behind him.
Round 1
Itauma took control of the center of the ring. He tried to work the body and briefly unsettled Franklin Jr. Itauma pressed the action and controlled the space, while the American relied on his solid guard. (10-9 Itauma)
Round 2
Itauma worked behind the jab, trying to back his opponent to the ropes. The two studied each other, with “989 Assassin” doing well to slip a right hook from the young phenom. (20-18 Itauma)
Round 3
Franklin Jr. attempted to counter Itauma’s attacks, doing good defensive work but remaining too static on his feet. With 29 seconds left in the round, Itauma landed a lightning-fast right hook to the head that sent Franklin Jr. to the canvas for the first time in his career. He got up immediately and managed to limit the damage. (30-26 Itauma)
Round 4
Itauma’s speed contrasted with Franklin’s defensive experience. Franklin Jr. seemed to have found a way to neutralize the right hook—but only temporarily—as there were punches he simply could not see coming. Itauma landed with ease, while Franklin moved along the ropes, trying—partially successfully—to contain the damage. (40-35 Itauma)
Round 5
Itauma stepped up the pressure, moving forward and doubling his punches. Franklin Jr. stayed along the ropes and in the corners, attempting to respond but missing. With one minute and thirty seconds remaining, during an exchange at center ring, Itauma landed a devastating uppercut to the chin that flattened “989 Assassin.” The referee didn’t even begin a count and waved it off immediately.
Analysis
This fight was meant to determine—first and foremost for insiders—whether Itauma already deserves a place among the top names in the heavyweight world rankings in 2026.
It was also a test of his ability to maintain pace and focus over the distance, as well as his resistance to heavy punches. While he had won eleven of his thirteen previous fights by knockout, only twice—April and July 2023—had he gone the full six rounds.
The rest of his record included eight first-round knockouts and three second-round stoppages.
If last night was a test, then it was passed with flying colors.
Before Franklin, on August 16 in Riyadh, Itauma had already demolished Dillian Whyte, adding the Commonwealth belt to his WBA International and WBO Intercontinental titles.
All things considered, Itauma is ready to write a new chapter in the glorious history of the heavyweight division. He now rightly aims for a world title and had himself described the bout against Franklin Jr. as “the final piece of the puzzle” before his climb toward championship glory.
That climb has officially begun.