Moses Itauma takes a further step towards a maiden world heavyweight title shot when he faces Jermaine Franklin at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday.
Frank Warren’s Queensberry promote Itauma vs Franklin and DAZN broadcast the bout live worldwide.
The pair were supposed to have fought in January, but Itauma was forced to withdraw through injury.
Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) is widely-regarded as the most talented prospect in the heavyweight division and the heir apparent to Oleksandr Usyk’s throne.
The 21-year-old is yet to go past six rounds and has been presented with minimal adversity in his first 13 professional outings, going the distance on only two occasions.
The Kent southpaw was expected to face some threat from former world title challenger, Dillian Whyte last August, but Itauma enhanced his credentials further with a first round blowout of the Brixton man.
Itauma stands on the brink of a title shot, ranked at one with both the WBO and WBA, where Fabio Wardley and Usyk hold the titles respectively.
On paper, Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs) should provide some resistance, with the American only losing twice in his career.
The 32-year-old took both Whyte and Anthony Joshua the 12-round distance in defeat and has won three on the bounce since losing to ‘AJ’.
The Michigan man overcame Ivan Dychko by unanimous decision in his last outing in September.
Prediction: Franklin is being brought in to provide rounds, but I’m expecting Itauma to make a fast start and make a statement by stopping his rival within the first six rounds. I wouldn’t be shocked if this fight was over in the opening three rounds.
Hutchinson-Taylor to settle grudge
In a grudge clash at light heavyweight, Willy Hutchinson faces undefeated domestic rival Ezra Taylor for the vacant WBO Global crown.
Hutchinson (19-2, 14 KOs) has been knocking on the door of the world scene since overcoming Craig Richards in June 2024, but saw his dreams derailed after losing a split decision to Joshua Buatsi three months later.
The 27-year-old rebounded with a seventh round stoppage over Mark Jeffers in October.
Taylor (13-0, 9 KOs) has won 13 straight bouts as a professional and secured a meeting with ‘The Hutch Train’ by halting Steed Woodall in the ninth round in October.
Prediction: Hutchinson’s edge in experience may prove pivotal here and I’m expecting him to prevail on points.
Thompson tackles Pauls
Shakiel Thompson is closing in on a maiden middleweight world title shot, but must first overcome former British champion, Brad Pauls.
Thompson (15-0, 11 KOs) is ranked at three with the IBF, but risks his position against Pauls (20-2-1, 11 KOs) with the vacant IBF International strap at stake.
Prediction: Pauls is tough, but Thompson is looking more dangerous with every fight and can stop ‘The Newquay Bomb’ here.
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Remaining Undercard
Liam Davies (17-1, 8 KOs) got back to winning ways with a unanimous decision win over Kurt Walker after falling short against Shabaz Masoud and should become the new European featherweight champion with a points victory over Italy’s Francesco Grandelli (21-4-2, 6 KOs).
Nelson Birchall (10-0, 7 KOs) impressed in January in Germany and can capture the vacant British featherweight title with a decision victory over Ryan Griffiths (8-1-3).
Former British middleweight champion, Nathan Heaney (19-1-1, 6 KOs) returns to the fold and the ‘Hitman’ should outpoint Gerome Warburton (16-2-2, 2 KOs).
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In what looks to be a real 50-50 clash at lightweight, Michael Gomez Jr (21-2, 6 KOs) should have enough to see off Jordan Flynn (13-1-1, 2 KOs) over the distance and Josh Holmes (17-0, 6 KOs) should do the same against Alex Murphy (14-2), also set for lightweight.
Billy Deniz (14-0, 5 KOs) can remain unbeaten with a six-round points success over Grant Dennis (19-19, 3 KOs) at super middleweight.
In four-round action, Aadam Hamed (6-0, 3 KOs), son of British boxing legend, Naseem Hamed will likely overcome Michael Mooney (10-123-3, 3 KOs) on points at super lightweight and super welterweight prospect, John Joe Carrigan (1-0, 1 KO) should also emerge victorious by decision against Danny Costello.
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