Moses Itauma sent a message that he is ready to become the best in the heavyweight division when he crushed Jermaine Franklin in five rounds.
Franklin, an American powerhouse who has previously won alongside the likes of Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, was supposed to be a test for the 21-year-old British hopeful.
Rather, Franklin was unable to find answers to the questions Itauma posed to him. He was bewildered by the young Englishman’s footwork, sharp feints and incredible hand speed.
A devastating uppercut that erased his resistance was the finishing touch to a flawless performance.
Itauma is currently primed and ready and willing to box with anyone in the division. But big heavyweights like unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, the elder statesmen of the division, are not expected to fight him before retiring from competition.
Moses Itauma leaves Jermaine Franklin on the canvas
“That’s probably the question Usyk should answer. I’m breaking through the rankings and inching my way towards a world title shot,” Itauma told Sky Sports.
But with his performance against Franklin establishing him as a leading contender in the division, Itauma believes Usyk, Fury and Joshua should also want to face him.
“We should be doing that, but we aren’t,” Itauma said.
But he didn’t hesitate. If given the chance, he would box Usyk, the best heavyweight in the sport today.
“If he wants to make that fight happen, of course I’m 100 percent against it,” Itauma said.
Itauma will be the mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title next month, when Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois will battle for the belt.
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Andy Scott and Gary Logan debate who Moses Itauma should face next after his devastating knockout win over Jermaine Franklin.
Wardley and Itauma are gymmates, which makes a title fight against Dubois even more appealing to Itauma.
Wardley and Dubois were both ringside watching Itauma’s devastating victory over Franklin.
“I don’t think they’re worried. I think they’re both like, ‘Oh, great. This guy is in my department,'” Itauma said.
“I think deep down we both probably had the same reaction. I think Fabio was able to hide it a little better.”
Regarding his next fight with the winner of Wardley vs. Dubois, Itauma said, “If Fabio wins, it’s going to be messy, but if Dubois wins, that fight makes sense.”
“Okay, let’s take a look.”
Watch Caroline Dubois v Terry Harper live on Sky Sports this Sunday.
