Moses Itauma appears to be like set to battle for a heavyweight world championship in 2026.
The 21-year-old Briton is just 13 fights into his skilled profession however has already put the division on discover.
His promoter Frank Warren has Itauma earmarked for a world title shot this yr, however it can rely upon how he performs in his subsequent battle towards Jermaine Franklin.
Itauma will battle powerful American contender Franklin on March 28 on the Co-op Stay Enviornment in Manchester.
The rising star needs to battle for a heavyweight championship in 2026. “He’s ranked No 1 by two of the governing bodies and he wants to fight for a world title. He’s made that very clear to me,” Warren informed Sky Sports activities.
Itauma has been transferring quick, in his performances within the ring – his two of fights of 2025 solely took him three rounds – and in his matchmaking. He dispatched former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in his final battle in August in lower than two minutes.
Franklin although is a seasoned operator himself and he is by no means been stopped earlier than. In his final battle, in September, he beat Olympic bronze medallist Ivan Dychko.
“It’s a tough fight,” Warren mentioned. “[Franklin’s] only lost two fights, a debatable, according to some people, loss to Dillian Whyte and that was four years ago. The same as the fight against AJ and AJ, three years ago, he was a really good fighter and he could bang and he couldn’t put him away.”
However he added: “We believe in him [Itauma]. It is a tough fight. He’s going to have to be at his best but he’s very confident. As is Franklin as well, he’s very confident.”
One other highly effective exhibiting towards Franklin ought to propel Itauma in the direction of that world title shot.
“It’s very important to see how he comes through, what he looks like. Because he only had two fights last year. He’s got to get the cobwebs out of his system,” Warren mentioned.
He does although anticipate Itauma to battle for a world title this yr. “I would think so. I will sit down with him, his team,” the promoter mentioned.
Already Itauma is the No 1 ranked contender at heavyweight with each the WBA and the WBO, in addition to being No 3 with the WBC.
“We’ll all sit and look at it and make a decision,” Warren mentioned. “Me, if he comes through this fight and he comes through how I hope he’ll come through then I think he’ll be there ready to go.”
Itauma beforehand informed Sky Sports activities Information: “Let me tell you something, the past and the future don’t exist, it’s only the present and in the present I’ve got Jermaine Franklin.
“Jermaine Franklin’s going to be a superb battle, I am wanting ahead to it.”
He does however consider himself one of the world’s best heavyweights. “I really feel like I’m,” he said. “I simply should show it.”
Watch the Dubois-Harper and Scotney-Flores invoice reside on Sky Sports activities on Sunday April 5.


