Moses Itauma Knocks Out Jermaine Franklin, Eyes Title Shot

On March 29, 2023, in Manchester, Moses Itauma, aged 21, knocked out Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round, prompting serious discussions about his potential as a title contender. The fight ended when Itauma delivered a powerful uppercut, leading the referee to stop the contest as Franklin fell to the canvas.

This victory marked Itauma's 14th professional knockout. Franklin, known for his durability, had previously gone the distance with notable fighters like Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.

Following the fight, Gustavo Olivieri confirmed that he would recommend Itauma as a mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title, currently held by Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, with a contest scheduled for May 9. Promoter Frank Warren expressed excitement about Itauma's performance and raised the stakes for a potential showdown against undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium.

Despite the growing hype, Itauma maintained his composure throughout the match.