Moses Itauma can rule the WORLD, writes JEFF POWELL as British sensation, 21, does what AJ and Dillian Whyte failed to do with thunderous knockout of Jermaine Franklin
Moses not only brought down hands of stone, but also the power of lightning. World heavyweight boxing may indeed have Itauma in command sooner rather than later.
This was not only a clear victory, but also an execution.
Jermaine Franklin arrived in Manchester hoping to stamp American authority on the pinnacle of prizefighting.
He’s never been knocked down before, let alone KOd. This was his third time on these shores. A strong unit that has twice taken Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte away, but here he was stopped for the first time in his life.
Itauma said after his victory: ‘I had a great time. I won my first national championship here. We come here seven years later and I get a win against Franklin.
‘I tried to knock him out in the first or second round but maybe not today. So I went back to basics and the knockout came. ‘I’m just a young boy chasing a dream.’
By his standards, Itauma took his time this time. He said he wanted more tours and he got them. But only two or three others remain in his unbeatable rampage towards the top of boxing.
Moses Itauma moves one step closer to world title contention with devastating victory over Jermaine Franklin
The 21-year-old from Kent did what Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte failed to do in stopping the American heavyweight
Franklin’s extraordinary capacity to absorb punishment had earned him as much.
The Co-Op Live arena witnessed confirmation that a shining star was born and lives in Chatham.
Promoter Frank Warren knows potential greatness when he sees it and has promised his latest discovery he will challenge for a world title soon.
Perhaps the winner of the fight for the WBO belt between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois in this arena.
Even the undisputed master of the championships, Oleksandr Usyk, will be aware of the threat from south-east England.
It was just one-way traffic as Itauma unleashed his full repertoire of massive punching power. The man from America must have felt like he was being run over by a convoy of big old trucks during his four one minute and 33 second tours of hell.
It’s not just Itauma’s thunder that makes it special. This is the pinnacle of tenderness when Franklin finishes face down on the canvas.
In the shadow of the City’s Etihad cathedral, the Co-Op Live arena was sheltered from the fierce winds blowing through at the start of the new heavyweight boxing season.
Manchester is not giving up its status as the northern powerhouse of British sport anytime soon. With United’s glorious successor to Old Trafford on the horizon, big events will continue to come to the city.
The City-Arsenal match for the Premier League championship is approaching and a storm is brewing in boxing.
Itauma, who has the potential to be the future of the marquee division, and Franklin, who is trying to present himself as the new face of American prizefighting, were the first to enter the newest pantheon of elite endeavors.
London will get a taste of the excitement next month when Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora stage their seniors clash at the O2, followed by Tyson Fury coming out of retirement – yes, again – to take on Russian threat Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
There will be huge clamor for the world title fight and JEFF POWELL believes he can come out on top
Big city bragging rights and a possible summer shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed heavyweight crown will be up for grabs in these few short weeks.
Moses and Jermaine emerged to stake their claim. Neither are among the tall heavyweights, but Franklin is around a stone heavier – his biggest yet – and Itauma is growing in the league.
Who struck the first blow? Itauma slammed the American against the ropes in the first round. Then he shook her some more.
Franklin’s size served as a shock absorber when he held off Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. He sent more penalties in the second but managed to do it.
The third had more pain for Franklin as he came down the right side of the evil Moses. In the next match Itauma mixed some combination boxing along with heavy blows. Franklin eventually fired a few shots but was still beaten.
Then it was over in the fifth. A left uppercut pushed Franklin to the canvas, and Itauma made sure he stayed there with a brutal straight right.
Former light-middleweight world champion Liam Smith said on X: ‘This kid is an absolute fighter. I’m putting this out there, I think he beats Usyk.’
