Moses Itauma explains why he picked Jermaine Franklin for his next fight

The heavyweight bout, which will be live on DAZN, is the latest step in Itauma's rapid rise through the ranks, and after knocking out Dillian Whyte within one round last August, the hype around the 21-year-old is at fever pitch. 

Itauma has not gone the past the second round in any of his fights since July 2023, leading to questions as to whether he can still be a real threat heading into the later sessions. 

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Moses Itauma is now a sparring scalp

Watch: Itauma explains what sparring is like in his training camps (0.46)

These questions were a major influence in the decision by Itauma and his team to pick Franklin as his next opponent with the American known for taking some of the division's biggest punchers the distance.

"I have serious opponent in Jermaine Franklin. We have asked for this fight for a year and a half," Itauma said at Thursday's final press conference. 

"All the attributes that he possesses, there are still question marks for myself. People are wondering whether I’ve got a chin, people are wondering whether I can go the distance.

"Jermaine Franklin, that’s what he’s known for. He’s known for taking people the distance and giving them tough fights."

Franklin a man of few words at press conference

Franklin is no stranger to fighting in the UK, previosuly making trips across the Atlantic to face Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. 

On both occasions Franklin lost on the judges' scorecards, albeit his majority decision defeat to Whyte is disputed by some. 

Franklin was a man of few words at Thursday's press conference, and the following was delivered with a sense of menace. 

"I feel disrespected, I’m used to the tricks, I’m ready to fight."

With fight fans already trying to work out who Itauma is facing next after Franklin, the British rising star is avoiding any temptations to overlook Saturday's opponent. 

Instead, he is aware that Franklin has arrived in Manchester to derail one of boxing's most exciting stories in recent years.  

"I see more in Jermaine Franklin’s eyes than I have seen in my previous opponents," said Itauama. 

"I know he’s ready." 

Watch Itauma vs. Franklin with a DAZN subscription

Knockout sensation Moses Itauma faces his toughest test against Jermaine Franklin this Saturday night, March 28. Watch exclusively with a DAZN Ultimate subscription to also get PPVs Chisora vs. Wilder (April 4), Wardley vs. Dubois (May 9), and Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23) included.

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