Boxing: Itauma Plots July Return After Historic Franklin KO

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma is wasting no time capitalising on his career-best performance. The 21-year-old Londoner will step back into the ring on July 25 at London’s O2 Arena, though an opponent has yet to be finalized following his emphatic stoppage victory over Jermaine Franklin last month.

That March win saw Itauma improve to a pristine 14-0 with 12 knockouts, and—more significantly—he became the first fighter to halt Franklin, a durable American who had previously taken Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte the full distance.

The statement victory immediately compelled the WBO to install Itauma as the mandatory challenger for its world heavyweight title.

All eyes now turn to the division’s immediate title landscape. Current WBO champion Fabio Wardley is scheduled to defend his belt against Daniel Dubois on May 9. Itauma, speaking to Sky Sports, acknowledged that his path hinges on that outcome. “If Fabio wins then it’ll be sticky,” he said, “but if Dubois wins, then that fight makes sense.”

Both Wardley and Dubois were in attendance to witness Itauma’s handiwork against Franklin. The rising contender believes his performance left an impression, even if neither rival openly showed concern.

“I don’t think they’re worried. I think they’re both like ‘Oh! This guy’s in my division,’” Itauma said. “I think deep inside they probably both had the same reaction. I think Fabio managed to, I guess, hide it a bit better.”

Despite holding mandatory status, Itauma is not expected to face the Wardley-Dubois winner immediately. The victor of that May clash is widely anticipated to pursue a lucrative unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk, the division’s unified champion.

That scenario would leave Itauma waiting in the wings but a strong showing in July against a higher-ranked opponent could accelerate his timeline to a world title shot.

Promoters are now scouting established names capable of headlining a major arena event for the July 25 card. British champion Richard Riakporhe has emerged as a leading candidate.

The 20-1 cruiserweight-turned-heavyweight, with 16 knockouts, has rebounded impressively from his sole defeat at world level to Chris Billam-Smith by winning his last three fights all inside five rounds.

A clash with Itauma would offer both men a significant step up in profile and a direct route toward the division’s upper echelon.

For now, Itauma remains focused on controlling what he can: staying active, refining his craft, and forcing the heavyweight elite to eventually acknowledge what his growing legion of fans already believe that the 21-year-old southpaw is no longer just a prospect, but a genuine threat.