Boxing

Itauma keen to flex ring IQ recognition with Franklin battle

DAZN

Published by Andrew Steel

28, Mar

Itauma keen to flex ring IQ recognition with Franklin battle

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Moses Itauma hopes to earn more respect for his ring IQ against Jermaine Franklin when they meet in Manchester.

The heavyweight duo headline Queensberry Promotions' latest Magnificent Seven card at Co-op Live, live on DAZN.

Itauma, widely tipped as a future world champion, faces a major test of his credentials against the sturdy American.

Ahead of his first bout since a win over Dillian Whyte last August however, he hopes to earn some further respect too.

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"My ring IQ," he exclusively told DAZN News when asked what his most undervalued asset is. "I've got to bring my A-game.

"Writing Jermaine off isn't going to do me any favours. I'm trying to grow my name as a global brand, a global entity.

"It's like settling into any other place. I've been to Manchester a dozen times. It's good to build a fanbase outside of Kent."

Itauma has already outlined his hopes to challenge other major names this year, including WBC interim holder Agit Kabayel.

For now however, he remains solely focused on Franklin - though he does admit that he has one eye on his post-fight plans.

"I probably shouldn't say what came to my mind," he qupped when pressed. "But I see myself enjoying a Five Guys afterwards!"

Quiet confidence sets Itauma's stage

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

Bustled between suites at the Manchester Deansgate Hotel across Thursday, Moses Itauma kept his powder mostly dry.

The young heavyweight has never been the most expressive of fighters on occasion, letting his fights speak for him.

But there is a quiet confidence that feels almost physically tangible when he walks into a room, a gravity shift of mood.

Itauma has seldom been one to talk trash, and his respect for Jermaine Franklin's skills have been often pronounced.

Yet now mere hours rather than weeks away, it's hard to escape the sense that he has the stage exactly where he wants.

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