Itauma vs. Franklin - Major British fighter delivers 'deep waters' verdict for huge heavyweight battle

Itauma has been earmarked for long term success as the future of the heavyweight division and his stock has taken a considerable boost recently with devastating first round wins over Demsey McKean and Dillian Whyte. 

Franklin has been chosen as Itauma’s next opponent due to his durability as he has never been stopped despite sharing many hard rounds with the likes of Whyte and Anthony Joshua. 

The American arrives in Britain on the back of a win over the much-fancied Ivan Dychko and he is expected to be the sternest examination of Itauma’s short career. 

Those guiding Itauma’s career are well aware that big title fights against elite opposition await their man and to pass those tests he will need to be able to navigate the 12-round distance rather than blasting people out in the first couple of rounds. 

Groves, a former world champion, thinks that the Franklin fight could be what is required for Itauma to get more ring experience for his inevitable assault on the heavyweight title. 

“I would like to see Moses Itauma have to go some rounds and I think they chose Franklin for that reason. They think he's tough. He took Anthony Joshua the distance, he took Dillian Whyte 12 rounds and they're hoping he's going to take Itauma rounds,” said Groves when speaking to Betideas.com. 

“I don't think he'd be able to present any real challenges, Itauma is just too sharp. But Franklin's durable and they’ll hope to take him into deeper waters and then see what Itauma’s condition is like.

"But I think it is a good matchup. If you are trying to build Moses Itauma, it makes sense.” 

Itauma vs Franklin analysis

Chris Walker, DAZN News senior boxing writer

If Franklin cannot give Itauma many rounds, then matching Itauma is going to become one of the most difficult tasks in boxing unless it is a straight title fight that will prove if he will sink or swim. 

Whyte was supposed to be a test. So was McKean. Itauma demonstrated zero respect for what was opposing him and he made emphatic statements the way a future heavyweight champion should. 

Are we meant to believe that a faded Whyte and an experimenting Joshua, the versions of both fighters who faced Franklin, are in any way the same as the wrecking ball that is Itauma? 

Franklin may see out the first couple of rounds, but it is hard to see anyone withstanding Itauma’s punishment much longer than that underneath elite level and that is where Franklin finds himself. 

Survival has been Franklin’s identity for so long now but on January 24, that label may get exposed in a brutal manner. 

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Raising star Moses Itauma faces his toughest test yet against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday, January 24, as part of the Queensberry Magnificent 7 fight card. Watch exclusively with DAZN a subscription, monthly and annual options available.

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