Franklin Vow To Test Itauma In Heavyweight Fight

American heavyweight contender Jermaine Franklin has declared he is ready to hand rising British-Nigerian star Moses Itauma his first taste of adversity when the two meet in Manchester on Saturday.

The 31-year-old warned that the highly touted prospect has never been tested in the way he is about to be.

Franklin enters the contest as a heavy underdog, but the experienced American believes his ring mileage gives him a crucial edge, particularly if the fight stretches into the later rounds, where Itauma’s youth and relative inexperience could become a factor.

“He ain’t never been in deep waters, so it’ll be a different territory for him. I done been in deep waters a couple times, so I know how it is, how it feels, so I think deep waters benefits me more. Your body reacts different when you’re tired in the later rounds, so I know how to get punches off in the later rounds, how to set certain stuff up in the later rounds,” Franklin said.

The American, who has previously gone the distance with former world champions Dillian Whyte and Daniel Dubois, said he has done extensive work studying Itauma’s game and has a clear plan to neutralise what makes the 21-year-old so dangerous.

“He’s fast, he throws combinations, he’s kind of good at counterpunching and stuff like that. He’s a little aggressive, so we’ve watched a lot of tape, so I just can’t wait for it.

“Just fight my fight, fight my style, get him frustrated, take away some of the things he does great and make him have to try new things to compete. If I see the opportunity, I’m going for it, but I won’t rush it,” Franklin said.

Itauma goes into the bout as one of the most celebrated prospects in world boxing. The son of a Nigerian father, he has won all 13 of his professional contests, 11 by knockout, with nine of those stoppages coming inside the first two rounds. His most high-profile victory came in August 2025 when he demolished former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in a single round in Riyadh to claim the Commonwealth heavyweight title.

WBA regular champion Murat Gassiev, who could face Itauma next if the youngster comes through, has also acknowledged that Franklin presents a genuine threat, saying the heavyweight division is unpredictable and that both men have a chance of winning.

Promoter Frank Warren believes a world title fight could come before the end of 2026 if Itauma gets past Franklin, with the possibility of him becoming the youngest British heavyweight world champion.