Moses Itauma Stops Jermaine Franklin In Five, WBO Mandatory In Play

Itauma didn’t waste time. He set his feet and let his hands go stepped in behind his shots, and broke Franklin down with speed and clean punching. The finish got here sharp. A left uppercut up the center had Franklin unsteady, then a right hand sent him down face-first on the canvas.

That type of stoppage gets the eye of a sanctioning body. Itauma was already ranked No. 1 with the WBO, and this result will push movement.

“In light of Moses Itauma’s current position because the #1 WBO world-rated contender, and having defeated world-rated contender Jermaine Franklin by knockout in defense of his WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship, he has further affirmed his standing throughout the division as a rising star.

“I’ll formally recommend that Mr. Itauma be designated because the Mandatory Challenger within the WBO Heavyweight Division.”

The belt is held by Fabio Wardley, who defends against Daniel Dubois on May 9 in Manchester. That fight now carries greater than a defense. It sets the subsequent move for Itauma.

If Wardley keeps the belt, the situation tightens. Ben Davison works with each men, and that complicates a direct fight. Itauma also holds a top spot with the WBA, which provides his team one other route to maintain him energetic while the WBO position settles.

If Dubois wins, the trail clears. A two-time champion against a rising contender with power and fast hands is a fight that is smart immediately.

Itauma has already mentioned Filip Hrgovic as a goal, but Hrgovic is tied up with Dave Allen on May 16. That leaves Murat Gassiev as a live option. Gassiev has shown willingness to take the fight, and that will not be a reputation most heavyweights rush toward.

Itauma is 21 and already fighting like a contender who understands distance and timing. He sets his feet and lets combos go together with authority, mixing straight rights with uppercuts up the center.

The WBO now has to act. Itauma has done his part.