Moses Itauma delivered a strong message to the heavyweight division by defeating Jermaine Franklin decisively in their recent bout. Itauma, known for his impressive track record of stopping 12 out of 14 opponents, achieved what notable fighters like Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte couldn’t do – stopping Franklin before the fifth round, which was a first for Itauma professionally.
The 21-year-old British fighter showcased his dominance by dropping Franklin in the third round and expressing his strategic shift during the fight. Itauma highlighted his adaptability, stating that despite attempting early knockouts, he reverted to fundamental techniques, focusing on body shots to secure the knockout victory.
From the onset, Itauma controlled the match, methodically pursuing Franklin around the ring and landing precise combinations. His speed and accuracy troubled Franklin, with Itauma effectively utilizing his jab and mixing body shots with head blows. Franklin struggled to mount a significant offense and was eventually dropped in the third round with a powerful hook.
Itauma maintained his momentum throughout the fight, consistently outpacing Franklin and delivering impactful blows. Despite taking the fight to the fifth round for the first time in his career, Itauma sealed his victory decisively with a left uppercut followed by a final right-hand knockout blow that sent Franklin crashing to the canvas.
In other matchups on the undercard, Willy Hutchinson secured a victory over Ezra Taylor, Nathan Heaney faced defeat against Gerome Warburton, and Brad Pauls caused a major upset by stopping the previously undefeated Shakiel Thompson in the ninth round. Pauls managed to turn the tide of the fight with a well-timed right hand, showcasing his resilience and skill in the ring.