British heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma will put his unbeaten record on the line against American Jermaine Franklin at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on 24 January. The bout will headline Queensberry Promotions’ “Magnificent Seven” event, with Scotland’s light-heavyweight Willy Hutchinson meeting England’s Ezra Taylor in the co-main.
The 20-year-old Itauma is undefeated in 13 fights, while 32-year-old Franklin holds a professional record of 24 wins and two losses. Promoter Frank Warren, celebrating his 45th year in boxing, praised the quality of the card and described Itauma as a heavyweight prodigy taking on a very tough American.
Itauma had been expected to fight on 13 December, but a series of issues delayed his return. Several potential opponents turned down the opportunity before the WBA ordered him to face Kubrat Pulev for the WBA “Regular” heavyweight title; Pulev then announced a fight with Murat Gassiev on 12 December instead.
Itauma is on a run of nine stoppage victories in a row, six inside the first round, and his most recent win was a one-round stoppage of Dillian Whyte in August. Franklin’s only defeats have come against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.
Also on the Manchester card is an all-British featherweight contest between Liam Davies and Zak Miller, among other domestic matchups.
