Emerging British Heavyweight Moses Itauma Calls for Recognition After Dominant Win
Moses Itauma, the rapidly rising British heavyweight prospect, has made a strong statement in the boxing world, stopping Jermaine Franklin in a dominant performance that has amplified calls for a significant bout. Despite his impressive victory, the 21-year-old remains pragmatic about his position in the heavyweight division, acknowledging the established order while subtly asserting his own growing credentials.
Unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, along with Tyson Fury, have previously dismissed the idea of facing Itauma, citing his youth and limited experience. However, Itauma’s recent stoppage of Franklin, a feat that neither Anthony Joshua nor Dillian Whyte could achieve in their respective fights against the American, has undeniably shifted the narrative. Itauma’s win marked the first time in Franklin’s 27-fight career that he was stopped, moving Itauma’s own professional record to an unblemished 14-0 and solidifying his status as a serious contender.
When questioned about whether this decisive victory might finally lure Usyk into a future showdown, Itauma offered a measured response. “Listen, Usyk has earned the right to do whatever he wants,” Itauma stated. “There’s a pecking order that obviously I’ve got to respect. I don’t pay attention to any of that; I don’t really care what any of these other heavyweights think or feel. I know what the truth is and I know the ability that I’m capable of. Now I’ve got to go out there and show it.”
Itauma elaborated on his rapid ascent, highlighting the calibre of opponents he has faced and overcome in a short period. “I’ve just turned 21, I’ve got Dillian Whyte, Demsey McKean, now Jermaine Franklin — knockouts, by the way — under my belt. I always knew I could do this but I didn’t think it would be so soon. I’ve done what some other British heavyweights couldn’t do and they’ve gone on to achieve successful things. So what’s the limit for me?”
While Usyk is set to face former world kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven in Egypt, Itauma’s promoter, Frank Warren, is keen to keep his young charge active, with plans for another fight in July. Despite the current landscape, Itauma holds a significant position in the rankings, being the number one challenger for both the WBO and WBA belts. Warren is hopeful of arranging a world title fight for Itauma later in the year. The WBO president, Gustavo Olivieri, has indicated he will “formally recommend” Itauma be installed as the mandatory challenger for the WBO title.
Potential Next Steps and Future Opponents
The WBO title is currently held by Fabio Wardley, who shares the same trainer as Itauma, Ben Davison, and is also part of Warren’s promotional stable. Wardley is scheduled to face fellow Briton Daniel Dubois on May 9th.
Following his impressive win over Franklin, Itauma revealed his immediate wishlist includes a bout with former IBF interim title challenger Filip Hrgovic. However, the Croatian contender is slated to fight Dave Allen in Doncaster on May 16th, meaning this particular matchup will need to wait.
“I just like the Hrgovic fight,” Itauma added. “It’s nothing personal to these fighters. I’ve always just tried to strive for greatness and Hrgovic is a great fight for me. But he’s boxing Dave Allen so we’ve just got to go back to the drawing board and see who’s available.”
Reflecting on his performance against Franklin, Itauma expressed his satisfaction. “I don’t think (the fight against Franklin) could have gone much better. I went the rounds that were necessary, I got the job done and for all you lot who wanted to ask me if I had a chin, I took a shot as well. I finally answered some questions and now it’s about what’s next.”
Itauma’s confident and composed demeanour, coupled with his undeniable talent and growing list of impressive victories, suggests he is a name that the established elite in the heavyweight division will soon have to contend with. His ability to deliver knockouts against durable opponents, combined with his strategic mindset, positions him as a formidable force for the future. The boxing world will be watching closely to see who Itauma faces next and how his career continues to unfold.
