Frank Warren, the Queensberry promoter steering Moses Itauma heavyweight rise, has warned the unbeaten 21-year-old he may need a “plan B” against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday because the American has never been stopped in 26 professional fights.
Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) headlines the Magnificent 7 card at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on March 28, live on DAZN, in what Warren is framing as a 10-round test of ring intelligence rather than another showcase for the young Brit’s concussive power. Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs) went the distance with Anthony Joshua in 2023 and Dillian Whyte in 2022, losing both on points but never hitting the canvas; this durability is the reason for the matchup.
Why Franklin Was Chosen Now
None of Itauma’s last nine opponents survived beyond the second round. His most recent outing ended when he destroyed Whyte inside the opening frame. That run has left a gap in the evidence: nobody knows what happens when the early finish does not come.
Franklin, 32, from Michigan, is designed to answer that question. He enters on a three-fight winning streak, and his two career losses both came in the UK against opponents who could not put him away. Warren is betting that Franklin’s chin and experience will force Itauma to solve problems he has not yet faced as a professional.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Warren said: “We’ve got a really, really good quality fight with Moses against Jermaine Franklin. You know, he’s never been stopped, and this is a tough fight for him.”
He added: “People say to you that you want to get rounds under you. But you’re putting him in with fighters that you feel he will get rounds out of, and that’s the feeling with Jermaine. As I say, he’s never been stopped.”
“I think this is going to be the fight that will set him up.”
Inactivity After an Injury-Hit 2025
The bout was originally scheduled for January 24 before Itauma suffered a training camp injury that forced the entire card to be pushed back two months. That delay compounded concerns about inactivity following a disrupted 2025, and it adds urgency to what Warren wants to see on Saturday night.
A fighter returning from a layoff against an opponent who specializes in surviving is a specific kind of exam. Warren needs to know whether Itauma can find his timing, stay composed if Franklin absorbs the early pressure, and build rounds rather than chase a finish that may not arrive on schedule.
Warren made clear he would not complain if Itauma blasts Franklin out early. But if it goes longer, Itauma would need to use his jab, manage distance, and show adaptability.
What Saturday Means for 2026
Warren has indicated he believes Itauma could be in line for a world-title shot before the end of the year if he passes this test convincingly. That timeline makes the Franklin fight a checkpoint rather than a destination, as Itauma has not yet been required to demonstrate the full range of skills a title challenger needs.
Can he stay disciplined if Franklin survives the first wave? Can he win rounds on the scorecards if the knockout never comes? Can he show that his boxing IQ matches the power that has carried him through 13 fights without a loss?
Franklin’s job is to make those questions unavoidable. If Itauma answers them, the fast track stays on schedule. If he struggles, the conversation shifts from when he challenges for a world title to what still needs work before he does.