Unbeaten British phenom heavyweight Moses Itauma scored another big KO in his latest fight. This time, he demolished a proven heavyweight contender with an uppercut that has gone viral on social media.
Saturday night, rising, British heavyweight star Moses Itauma faced American veteran Jermaine Franklin with fight fans wondering if he could deliver another memorable KO? In the fifth round we got the answer.
The 21 year old Itauma, now 14-0, 12 KOs, dropped Franklin with a hard right in the third round and then, finished him with a devastating left uppercut in the fifth that had Franklin out on his feet, mid-ring. The phenom then landed a quick straight right to the chin and Franklin fell like a chopped tree face-first to the canvas.
There was no need for a 10 count and fittingly, Itauma took a bow, as the fight was waved off.
Itauma's 2026 return was the headline bout of a Queensberry Promotions card at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena broadcast live on DAZN. The scheduled 10-round contest carried significant stakes, with the WBA International and WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight titles on the line.
He entered the fight with an unblemished record and a growing hype as one of boxing’s brightest prospects, having previously dismantled Dillian Whyte in a stunning one-round finish last August. Franklin, meanwhile, came into the bout with renewed confidence following a solid unanimous decision victory over Ivan Dychko, marking arguably the best win of his career. And, he had previously lasted the distance with Whyte and with former unified heavyweight champ Anthony Johsua in losses.
But, on this night and from the opening bell Itauma asserted his dominance. The first round proved difficult for Franklin, who struggled to cope with the Brit’s exceptional hand speed and sharp accuracy. Itauma continued to build momentum in the second round, finishing strongly with powerful hooks that signaled his intent.
The third round brought that first major turning point. Itauma landed a precise right hook to the temple that sent Franklin to the canvas. Although the American managed to rise and survive the round, the damage was evident. Franklin showed resilience in the fourth, landing a pair of solid body shots—his most effective offense of the fight—but Itauma absorbed them comfortably.
But that only delayed the end that came in the fifth round.
I want to thank the Manchester crowd. I am happy to get the win. The Lord is good," Itauma said post fight. "I've done something (KO Franklin) that other British heavyweights that have gone on to great things could not do."
On the finish, Itauma remarked,
"I threw an uppercut and I stepped off to go to the body and switch it back up top. And, then, I popped him with the uppercut. And, I just see, like, he was all over the place," "So, I was like, 'yeah, this is my moment.' And, then, he's ready and face planted to the floor."
That Franklin did and the legend of Itauma grows.
The natural U.K. comparisons are to the rise 40 years ago of an American 20 year old phenom, in future hall of famer Mike Tyson.
We still have a ways to go and many important victories for that to be valid, but Itauma is certainly now on the radar for a future title shot. Although, it's not likely to be in his next fight.
That should come later this Summer to continue the momentum Itauma has.