Moses Itauma is set to headline Frank Warren’s Magnificent Seven series on January 24. The event will take place at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. Itauma, a 20-year-old heavyweight rising star, will face American fighter Jermaine Franklin, who is 32 years old.
Opponent Background
Franklin has experience after competing against top heavyweights. He went the full distance in bouts against Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua within five months, from November 2022 to April 2023. Although he lost both matches, he showcased his durability by not being knocked down or stopped.
Moses Itauma’s Performance
Itauma has quickly established himself in the heavyweight division. He has battled only twice this year but has maintained an impressive record of rapid finishes. His highlight performance includes:
- A second-round TKO victory over Mike Balogun in May.
- A quick one-round knockout of Whyte in Riyadh three months later.
Originally scheduled to return on December 13, Itauma’s fight has been postponed, allowing him to prepare for this key matchup against Franklin.
Undercard Highlights
The Magnificent Seven event also features several other compelling fights. Key matchups include:
- Willy Hutchinson vs. Ezra Taylor, following previous heated exchanges.
- Liam Davies against Zak Miller, the British and Commonwealth champion.
- Shakiel Thompson vs. Brad Pauls, a former British champion.
- Nathan Heaney competing against Gerome Warburton.
- Aqib Fiaz testing his skills against Jordan Flynn.
- Alex Murphy taking on Josh Holmes, the English super-featherweight champion.
This series promises to deliver an exciting night of boxing, with Itauma looking to make a statement against Franklin on January 24.
