The bout between Moses Itauma and Jermaine Franklin has been postponed until March 28 after the British heavyweight suffered an injury during training.
Itauma was scheduled to face former Anthony Joshua opponent Franklin on January 24th at Coop Live Arena in Manchester.
However, the 20-year-old suffered an injury during training camp and the match was rescheduled for March at the same venue.
“Unfortunately, due to Moses Itauma sustaining an injury during camp, the ‘Magnificent 7’ show has been rescheduled to March 28th,” Queensberry Promotions said in a short statement on social media.
The highly-regarded Itauma extended his perfect professional record to 13 wins (11 stoppages) in as many matches, defeating compatriot Dillian Whyte on the inside in the opening round in Saudi Arabia in August 2025.
Meanwhile, Franklin has defeated Whyte and Joshua in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and has never been stopped in 26 professional contests.
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Heavyweight boxer Jermaine Franklin dreams of a chance to fight Itauma
The WBA has ordered Itauma to face Murat Gassiev. The Russian defeated Kubrat Palat by knockout in the 6th round to become the WBA “regular” champion.
Itauma has also been ordered to face fellow Briton Lawrence Okolie in the final WBC qualifier, but the undefeated 20-year-old has yet to indicate his preferred option.
In September, Itauma’s team announced that they intended to fight Oleksandr Usyk, even in the early stages of the young heavyweight’s career.
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Itauma’s trainer Ben Davison says he intends to face heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and it’s a “win-win”
“I would accept that,” Ben Davison told Sky Sports. “I will. It’s a win-win. Just like Moses never boxed with someone like Usyk, I don’t think Usyk ever boxed with someone like Moses. He’ll openly say that himself.”
“He (Itauma) would like that. He has a mindset. If he’s going to jump in (to the deep end), he might as well jump in. Hopefully, we might end up in a world title fight.”
