Jermaine Franklin, the seasoned American heavyweight, has vehemently refuted the notion of serving as a mere stepping stone for the burgeoning British heavyweight sensation, Moses Itauma. Franklin, fresh off a revitalizing decision victory over Ivan Dychko, expressed his indignation at being considered a “test” for the 20-year-old Itauma. He unequivocally stated that he is far from being a convenient benchmark for any aspiring heavyweight and issued a stern warning to anyone who underestimated his capabilities.
While dismissive of the “test” label, Franklin didn’t entirely close the door on a potential clash with Itauma. He maintained a pragmatic stance, emphasizing that the financial aspects of any such bout would be paramount. A contest with Itauma, according to Franklin, would hinge on a satisfactory purse. This reveals a realistic approach to his career, prioritizing the financial rewards commensurate with the risk involved in facing a highly touted prospect like Itauma.
Franklin, while acknowledging Itauma’s undeniable talent and rapid rise within the heavyweight division, expressed reservations about the young boxer’s readiness to face top-tier competition. He specifically questioned Itauma’s preparedness for a potential showdown with the unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk. Franklin’s assessment highlighted the vast experience gap between Itauma and the elite fighters in the division, suggesting that a leap to a championship-level bout might be premature for the young prospect.
Moses Itauma, the British-Nigerian heavyweight prodigy, has swiftly become a focal point of conversation within the boxing community. His meteoric ascent through the heavyweight ranks has been punctuated by a string of impressive knockout victories, further fueling the hype surrounding his potential. Itauma’s ability to dispatch opponents with remarkable speed and power has solidified his status as one of the most exciting prospects in the sport, drawing comparisons to other heavyweight phenoms who emerged with similar knockout streaks early in their careers.
The young heavyweight’s most recent triumph, a stunning first-round knockout of former world title challenger Dillian Whyte, served as a definitive statement of his burgeoning power and potential. This victory, a testament to Itauma’s explosive punching power and improving ring generalship, propelled him further up the heavyweight rankings, solidifying his position as a legitimate contender and accelerating his trajectory towards a potential world title shot in the near future.
Itauma’s impressive performances have naturally attracted the attention of promoters and fans alike, leading to discussions of high-profile matchups, including a potential clash with the reigning unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk. The prospect of such a fight, while tantalizing for boxing enthusiasts, raises questions about Itauma’s readiness for the elite level of competition, echoing the concerns expressed by Jermaine Franklin. As Itauma prepares for his next bout, likely in December, the boxing world watches with anticipation, eager to witness the next chapter in the unfolding story of this remarkable young talent. The decision of Filip Hrgovic, a highly ranked heavyweight contender, to reportedly decline a fight against Itauma further underscores the perceived risk associated with facing the rising star. This avoidance speaks volumes about the growing respect and caution that Itauma commands within the heavyweight division.
