The highly anticipated showdown between British heavyweight Moses Itauma and American Jermaine Franklin has been postponed until March due to an injury sustained by Itauma during training. The initial bout, scheduled to take place on January 24 at Manchester's Co-Op Live Arena, will now be held at the same venue on March 28.
Itauma, just 21 years old, has been making waves in the heavyweight division with his impressive record of 13 undefeated fights, 11 of which he has won by knockout. His most recent victory was a notable knockout against Dillian Whyte in August, further solidifying his position as a top contender. With each of his last nine victories coming inside the distance, six of which ended in the first round, Itauma has demonstrated his formidable punching power and relentless fighting style.
In contrast, Franklin, 32, boasts an impressive record of 24 wins and two losses, with his defeats coming at the hands of Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. The American fighter's experience and skill will undoubtedly provide a challenging test for the young and ambitious Itauma. As Queensberry promoters announced, "Unfortunately, Moses Itauma has sustained an injury in camp and therefore the Magnificent 7 show has been re-scheduled for 28 March."
The postponement of the fight is a setback for Itauma, who had been expected to return to the ring on December 13 before a series of issues delayed his comeback. Despite this, the British heavyweight remains focused on his goal of becoming a world champion, and the rescheduled bout against Franklin will be a crucial step in his journey.
The co-main event of the evening will feature a thrilling matchup between Scotland's light-heavyweight Willy Hutchinson and England's Ezra Taylor. Additionally, an all-British featherweight bout between Liam Davies and Zak Miller is scheduled to take place, promising an exciting and action-packed night of boxing in Manchester.
Itauma's original plans to fight on December 13 were derailed when several potential opponents turned him down, and the WBA subsequently ordered him to face Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev for the WBA 'Regular' heavyweight title. However, Pulev announced that he would be fighting Russian Murat Gassiev on December 12, resulting in a sixth-round knockout loss. The postponement of the Itauma-Franklin bout has given the British heavyweight a chance to regroup and refocus on his training, and he will undoubtedly be eager to make a statement when he returns to the ring in March.
As the boxing world waits with bated breath for the rescheduled bout between Itauma and Franklin, one thing is certain: the young British heavyweight will stop at nothing to achieve his goal of becoming a world champion. With his unbeaten record and devastating punching power, Itauma is a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division, and his showdown against Franklin promises to be an unforgettable night of boxing.
The road to the top is never easy, and Itauma's journey has been filled with setbacks and challenges. However, the 21-year-old fighter remains determined and focused, and his dedication to his craft will undoubtedly serve him well as he prepares to face one of the toughest tests of his career. As the boxing community looks on, one thing is clear: the Itauma-Franklin bout will be a must-see event for fans of the sport, and the winner will take a significant step closer to realizing their dream of becoming a world champion.
Original: BBC Sport
Image: BBC Sport
Written by Npsports
