Moses Itauma to struggle Jermaine Franklin in January at Manchester’s Co-op Dwell Enviornment

British heavyweight Moses Itauma will tackle former Anthony Joshua foe Jermaine Franklin on January 24 at Manchester’s Co-op Dwell Enviornment.

The highly-regarded Itauma flattened compatriot Dillian Whyte contained in the opening spherical in Saudi Arabia in August to increase his excellent skilled file to 13 wins from as many fights, with 11 stoppages.

Franklin now lies in await the 20-year-old, with the American having taken Whyte and Joshua the gap in 2022 and 2023 respectively and by no means having been stopped in 26 skilled contests.

“I am very happy to have our heavyweight prodigy Moses topping the bill in another perfect test of his unquestionable credentials against a very tough American,” stated Itauma’s promoter Frank Warren.

The Brit, nevertheless, could possibly be eyeing up one other struggle too because the WBA have ordered a compulsory defence of Kubrat Pulev’s title towards Itauma. Itauma has made a speedy ascent by way of the heavyweight ranks. He blitzed Demsey McKean on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s rematch with Usyk a yr in the past.

But it surely was Itauma’s struggle towards Whyte that launched the younger expertise into world title competition, including to the lengthy line of British heavyweights sizing up a shot on the unified belts.

In September, Itauma’s crew even admitted that they’d take a struggle with Oleksandr Usyk, even at this early stage of the younger heavyweight’s profession.

“I would take it,” Davison instructed Sky Sports activities. “I would. I think it’s a win-win. As much as Moses hasn’t boxed anybody like Usyk, I don’t think Usyk’s boxed anybody like Moses. I think he would openly say that himself.

“It is one thing he [Itauma] can be up for. I feel he is obtained the mindset: for those who’re taking a dive [into the deep end] you would possibly as properly take the dive. Hopefully we might find yourself in a world title struggle.”