Moses Itauma steps up as his heavyweight future beckons.
Moses Itauma’s rapid rise will face its most serious examination yet when he returns to the ring later this month. The unbeaten heavyweight is set to take on American contender Jermaine Franklin in a scheduled 10-round bout at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
The contest represents a clear step up in competition for Itauma and is widely viewed as the toughest test of his professional career to date.
Franklin, best known for taking Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua deep into competitive fights, offers durability, experience and a style designed to push prospects beyond their comfort zone.
The matchup follows one of the most eye-catching performances of Itauma’s career. In August 2025, the 21-year-old delivered a devastating first-round knockout of former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in Riyadh, ending the fight inside two minutes.
If that’s not sending a clear message to the heavyweight division, I don’t know what is.
That victory accelerated conversations around Itauma’s immediate future, with several high-profile opponents now being discussed.
The WBA has ordered him to face Kubrat Pulev for the organisation’s Regular heavyweight title, a bout his team have publicly expressed interest in pursuing.
There has also been movement at the domestic level. Itauma has been ordered to face Lawrence Okolie in a WBC final eliminator, setting up the possibility of a high-stakes all-British clash.
Alongside that, promoters have linked him with established contenders including Filip Hrgovic, Michael Hunter, Joseph Parker and British rival David Adeleye.
For now, the focus remains firmly on January 24.
Jermaine Franklin represents the kind of opponent who can answer serious questions about Itauma’s readiness for the top level.
How he handles that challenge may determine just how quickly Britain’s most talked-about heavyweight moves from prospect to world title contender.
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