Moses Itauma to Face Ex-Anthony Joshua Rival in Next Bout
Moses Itauma is set to make his return to the boxing ring, taking on American fighter Jermaine Franklin. The bout will take place at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on January 24, 2024. Itauma, the young heavyweight sensation, is just 20 years old and remains unbeaten in his professional career.
Moses Itauma vs. Jermaine Franklin: A Key Matchup
Itauma was initially scheduled to fight on December 13, 2023, as part of Derek Chisora’s retirement event. However, that plan has since fallen through, delaying Itauma’s next match. The recent announcement has now confirmed his fight against Franklin, who is 32 years old.
This upcoming fight is crucial for Itauma as he aims to maintain his undefeated record and move closer to a title shot. He is coming off an impressive victory against Dillian Whyte, a former world-title challenger, where Itauma won decisively in under two minutes during their match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Jermaine Franklin’s Recent Performance
Franklin’s record shows two losses against British fighters, including a unanimous decision defeat to Anthony Joshua at the O2 Arena in London in 2023. In another match earlier that year, he lost to Whyte by a controversial majority decision at Wembley Arena.
His most recent fight was in September 2023, where he defeated Ivan Dychko via unanimous decision, bringing his professional record to 24 wins and 2 losses, with 15 of those victories coming by knockout.
Records and Statistics
| Fighter | Record | Knockouts |
|---|---|---|
| Moses Itauma | 13-0 | 11 |
| Jermaine Franklin | 24-2 | 15 |
As the fight date approaches, fans eagerly await what promises to be a significant clash in the heavyweight division. Itauma’s performance against Franklin may very well determine his trajectory in the sport, potentially leading to a future title shot. El-Balad will keep a close eye on this exciting matchup as part of the heavyweight boxing landscape.
