British boxing is set to start 2026 in style as "The Magnificent 7" returns with a blockbuster card headlined by a heavyweight showdown between rising star Moses Itauma and seasoned American contender Jermain Franklin. The event takes place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Saturday, January 24, streaming live and exclusively on DAZN, with ticket information to be announced soon.

At just 20 years old, Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) continues his meteoric rise toward world title contention. Fresh from a sensational first-round demolition of Dillian Whyte in August, the undefeated heavyweight prodigy will face the toughest test of his career against Franklin. The 32-year-old Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs), hailing from Michigan, has proven his toughness on British soil before, going the distance with both Whyte and former unified heavyweight champ, Anthony Joshua. He now enters this fight on a three-bout winning streak, aiming to halt Itauma’s perfect run.

Promoter Frank Warren, marking his 45th year in professional boxing, called the show “a statement of intent for the New Year,” adding:

“This show will also effectively celebrate my 45th year in the professional business and I believe this card certainly does justice to the occasion and 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 in Jermain Franklin," Warren continued.

Watch Itauma's destruction of Whyte here:

Although the Queensberry release didn't specify, it's believed that the bout will be a pay per view, not just in the United Kingdom, but also worldwide just as Itauma's destruction of Whyte was in the Summer.

The night’s chief support promises fireworks in the light heavyweight division, as Willy Hutchinson (19-2, 14 KOs) meets unbeaten Ezra Taylor (13-0, 9 KOs) in what’s expected to be a thrilling domestic clash. Both men are coming off statement stoppage wins—Hutchinson impressing against Mark Jeffers and Taylor dispatching Steed Woodall—making this a battle with serious title implications.

An all-British featherweight showdown will also light up the card as Zak Miller (17-1, 3 KOs), the reigning British and Commonwealth champion, defends his belts against former multi-title holder Liam Davies (17-1, 8 KOs). Davies, the former IBO World, British, and European champion at super bantamweight, is looking to reclaim his dominance in a new division.

In the middleweight ranks, Shakiel Thompson (15-0, 11 KOs), the newly crowned WBO Global champion from Sheffield, defends his title against Brad Pauls (20-2-1, 11 KOs), a former British champion. Fellow middleweight Nathan Heaney (19-1-1, 6 KOs), backed by his passionate Stoke following, returns against Wales’ Gerome Warburton (16-2-2, 2 KOs).

The undercard also features two lightweight clashes: Alex Murphy (14-2) faces English champion Josh Holmes (17-0, 6 KOs), while Aqib Fiaz (14-1, 2 KOs) squares off against Jordan Flynn (12-1-1, 2 KOs).