Moses Itauma’s ominous run continued on Saturday, as the rising heavyweight star knocked out Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.
Itauma, 21, became the first boxer to knock out Franklin as he stopped the American in the fifth round, improving his record to 14-0 with a 12th finish.
The crowd at the Co-op Live arena had gathered to see if Itauma could pass his latest test, and the British prospect did so with flying colours, dropping Franklin in the third round and stopping him in the fifth.
The first knockdown came courtesy of a short right hand to the top of Franklin’s head, as southpaw Itauma trapped the American in the corner. Franklin, 32, beat the referee’s count and even came out of his shell in the fourth frame, dialling up his offence after Itauma’s blistering start.
But the fifth round brought an abrupt end to Franklin’s defiance, as a rear uppercut froze him completely, before Itauma followed up with a right hand to drop his vulnerable opponent again.
Re-live the action below. Re-watch the event on DAZN, with subscriptions available here.
Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin
- Moses Itauma becomes first boxer to knock out Jermaine Franklin
- Rising heavyweight star stops American in fifth round in Manchester
- Itauma, 21, is seen as one of Britain‘s finest boxing prospects
- Talk turns to his next fight, and whether it will be for a world title already
Re-live Itauma’s statement win over Franklin right here
09:00 , Alex PattleYou can scroll down this page to re-live last night’s fight and see the reaction, after Itauma stopped Franklin in round five.
You can also see key undercard moments and results!
Moses Itauma eclipses Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte
08:00 , Alex PattleJoshua and Whyte are the only other boxers to have beaten Franklin, and both went the distance with the American.
In fact, many fans and pundits felt that Franklin should’ve been given the win against Whyte.
But Itauma left no room for doubt last night!
Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin in photos
07:00 , Alex Pattle
Re-live Moses Itauma’s walkout featuring rapper Meekz
06:00 , Alex PattleManchester rapper Meekz performed as Itauma made his ring walk last night:
Meekz Introducing Moses Itauma to his stage tonight here in Manchester 🔥#ItaumaFranklin #Mag7 | NOW | @TheCoopLive, Manchester | Live on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/GIWlqQwfoq
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) March 28, 2026
Devin Haney believes in Moses Itauma
05:00 , Alex PattleAn endorsement from a world champion:
Moses is the next guy..
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) March 28, 2026
A ringside view of Itauma’s sickening KO of Franklin
04:00 , Alex PattleJeez...
DEVASTATING 😱#ItaumaFranklin pic.twitter.com/CxHNVats4m
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) March 28, 2026
Who next for Moses Itauma?
03:00 , Alex PattleWith Wardley vs Dubois set for May, and Usyk boxing Verhoeven the same month, Itauma could wait to see if he can get the winner of either of those bouts.
But promoter Frank Warren seems to think Usyk will be tied up with a mandatory title defence later this year, after his voluntary defence against kickboxer Verhoeven.
So, the winner of Wardley vs Dubois is likelier for Itauma, but Warren seemingly wants to get him back in the ring this summer to tick over.
Could he face the winner of Justis Huni vs Frazer Clarke, which is set for 11 April on the Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov undercard?
Moses Itauma seen practising KO shot in locker room before fight
02:00 , Alex PattleThis is not the first time one of these clips has gone around after a win from a Ben Davison fighter...
𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 🤩
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 28, 2026
Itauma & @BenDavison_ drilled the uppercut moments before the fight...#ItaumaFranklin 🤳 pic.twitter.com/VqdKorZ39T
Dave Allen weighs in on Moses Itauma’s win and potential
00:00 , Alex PattleThe 'White Rhino' Dave Allen gives his thoughts on 'superstar' Moses Itauma and his own fight against Hrgovic...#ItaumaFranklin | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/SuRSxjKVv2
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 28, 2026
Moses Itauma’s thoughts en route to the locker room
Saturday 28 March 2026 23:50 , Alex PattleImagine Itauma vs. Usyk 🤩
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 28, 2026
Moses Itauma talks KO and future plans...#ItaumaFranklin 🤳 pic.twitter.com/8X4teGKz2S
Read our main-event report in full as Itauma destroys Franklin
Saturday 28 March 2026 23:40 , Alex PattleHere’s our breakdown of tonight’s main event:
Moses Itauma’s ominous run goes on as he becomes first boxer to KO Jermaine Franklin
DAZN pundits rip into Franklin’s cornerman
Saturday 28 March 2026 23:30 , Alex PattleSafe to say that Carl Frampton was not happy at Franklin’s cornerman for confronting referee Steve Gray.
Darren Barker and Wardley had some thoughts, too.
The team reflect on a sensational Moses Itauma finish 🎤#ItaumaFranklin | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/Q2dTct3iVf
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 28, 2026
Moses Itauma – the person behind the boxer
Saturday 28 March 2026 23:20 , Alex PattleFrancis Warren heaps praise on 'the man' that is heavyweight sensation, Moses Itauma ⭐️#ItaumaFranklin | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/VmPyoMTLij
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 28, 2026
Moses Itauma does it again
Saturday 28 March 2026 23:12 , Alex PattleMoses Itauma moves to 14-0 with 12th KO win
Saturday 28 March 2026 23:08 , Alex Pattle
Frank Warren on what’s next for Moses Itauma
Saturday 28 March 2026 23:03 , Alex Pattle👔 @frankwarren talks what's next for Itauma...#ItaumaFranklin | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/wBI5WgZa41
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 28, 2026
Moses Itauma speaks after latest KO win
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:57 , Alex PattleMoses Itauma's instant reaction to yet another incredible KO victory...#ItaumaFranklin | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/5cfpSQqko5
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 28, 2026
Moses Itauma becomes first man to KO Jermaine Franklin
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:53 , Alex PattleThe winning moment...
A CHILLING ITAUMA KO ENDS IT! 🥶#ItaumaFranklin | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/qKfQk9s9p1
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 28, 2026
Who does Moses Itauma want to fight next?
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:49 , Alex Pattle“To be completely honest with you, I wanted the [Filip] Hrgovic fight, but he’s fighting Dave Allen, so...
“We’ll go back to the drawing board, see who’s available, see who’s there.”
When will Moses Itauma return? Frank Warren answers that question
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:46 , Alex PattleItauma’s promoter Frank Warren says it will likely be a July return for the young heavyweight.
That suggests it won’t be against the winner of Wardley vs Dubois in May, as that’d be too tight a turnaround for that fighter.
Oleksandr Usyk is also fighting in May, and Warren expects the Ukrainian to be tied up with mandatory defences if he beats Rico Verhoeven.
Moses Itauma reacts to stoppage win over Jermaine Franklin
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:44 , Alex PattleItauma: “I wanna say thank you very much for the Manchester crowd, I’ve had a lovely time.
“Man, I’m happy to get the win. The Lord is good! This is actually where I won my first ever national title.
“I’ve done something that other British heavyweights – that have gone on to do great things – haven’t been able to do.
“It takes two to tango, so I’m appreciative [of Franklin].
“I tried to knock him out in the first, second round – tried to make some people some dough – but I just thought: ‘Ah, maybe not today.’
“I switched it up, went to the body. It’s not the shots you load up with, it’s the shots you don’t see.
“I’m just a young boy chasing a dream.”
Moses Itauma KOs Jermaine Franklin in round five
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:42 , Alex Pattle
Moses Itauma KOs Jermaine Franklin in round five
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:39 , Alex PattleFranklin’s cornerman complains about the stoppage, as the American boxer is knocked out for the first time, but it was 100 per cent the right call by the ref.
You can see the official below, even stepping in as Franklin goes down to ensure Itauma doesn’t land any extra blows.
The ref then gave Franklin a few seconds to recover, but he had seen enough.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Round five – KO win for Briton!
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:35 , Alex PattleItauma is starting to land some thudding shots now, but they come with such pace.
The combination of those assets is so impressive.
OH! Down goes Franklin again, and the referee is quick to wave it off!
The crowd roars as Itauma bows to them! Wowwwww.........
It was a rear uppercut from the southpaw that had Franklin on Dream Street, then a right straight to finish him off.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Round four
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:32 , Alex PattleRound four
Franklin has actually come out of his shell as a result of that knockdown in round three!
He lands a couple of times in quick succession, once to the head and once to the body, and Itauma smiles.
Itauma gets back on top, and as Franklin peppers away and finds a bit more success later in the round, the Briton smirks again.
This might just be the ideal scenario for Itauma so far; he’s banking rounds, but he’s also winning and has already shown off his speed and power with a knockdown.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Round three – Franklin goes down!
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:29 , Alex PattleItauma has slowed the pace, as he wished, but he’s still on the front foot. He’s backing up Franklin and keeping the American guessing with lots of feints upstairs and downstairs.
Franklin is intermittently throwing back, but not often enough – or with enough success.
Now, this fight has gone longer than Itauma’s last three combined!
Oooft, a body shot has Franklin breathing hard, backing up, and lowering his hands...
OHH! And a short right hand to the top of the dome puts down Franklin! He beats the ref’s count, and there are 15 seconds to survive in this round...
Great combination punching from Itauma, but Franklin makes it to the bell...
Itauma vs Franklin live: Round two
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:24 , Alex PattleBetween rounds, Itauma tells his head coach Ben Davison that the pace was too high in that opening round. Sensible from Moses.
Despite a tough start for Franklin, the American is trying not to get disheartened. He’s standing in front of Itauma, to be fair to him, but minding his Ps and Qs so far.
Franklin parries a couple of jabs but takes a left hook to the body, then a right. Clever work from Itauma.
He misses with an uppercut to the head, then with a right hook, but he pistons a left cross to the body with success. That body work might be key in breaking down the usually-durable Franklin.
Oh, grazing uppercut by Itauma late in the frame!
Itauma vs Franklin live: Round one
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:20 , Alex PattleOh! A right hook has Franklin backing into the corner at the 40-second mark, as the crowd coos!
Some grazing shots from the southpaw Itauma, including to the body, and the crowd continues to gasp...
A swift rear uppercut requires Franklin to lean back equally quickly. Two minutes gone, so Franklin has outlasted Whyte already...
Now Itauma misses with a left hook, as Franklin ducks, but another left hook landed just before that.
Itauma is SO fast, but Franklin does well to make him miss again, with the American now getting off the ropes and standing on the front foot.
Itauma with a big flurry late in the round, though!
Itauma vs Franklin live: Main event under way!
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:16 , Alex PattleFranklin, 32, has lost just twice as a pro, having been outpointed by Dillian Whyte in 2022 and Anthony Joshua in 2023.
In fact, many people believe he was unlucky not to be granted the win against Whyte.
Either way, if Itauma can beat Franklin, he will be in good company.
A great reception for the 13-0 Itauma (11 KOs).
HERE, WE, GO!
Itauma vs Franklin live: Our interview with tonight’s favourite
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:09 , Alex PattleYou can also read our roundtable interview with Moses Itauma, if you’re quick!
Moses Itauma knows the real sacrifices required to be heavyweight champion
Itauma vs Franklin live: Steve Bunce’s preview
Saturday 28 March 2026 22:06 , Alex PattleThere’s still just enough time to read Steve Bunce’s preview!
The Moses Itauma contradiction that gives a clue to his true boxing future
Itauma vs Franklin live: Warburton upsets fans with win over Heaney
Saturday 28 March 2026 21:55 , Alex PattleGerome Warburton def. Nathan Heaney via unanimous decision (98-92, 97-93, 97-93)
The crowd is gutted, of course, as is Heaney, but it’s the right call in our eyes.
Warburton’s eight-year-old son Roman, whose name is written across the boxer’s shorts, is ecstatic!
The crowd boos, and Warburton suggests they ease off a little bit.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Heaney vs Warburton result incoming
Saturday 28 March 2026 21:51 , Alex PattleRound 10
Heaney has been doing the right things, in terms of work ethic, to try to maybe steal this one at the end, yet Warburton is still producing the slicker boxing.
But look, maybe the judges have Heaney ahead! It’s hard to be certain.
The final bell sounds, so we’ll find out in a few minutes.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Which way will Heaney vs Warburton go?
Saturday 28 March 2026 21:40 , Alex PattleRound seven
Rear uppercut and left hook from Heaney, who stalks Warburton.
Warburton aims to stay mobile, but he ends up backed onto the ropes, where he absorbs a flurry of strikes from the fan favourite Heaney.
Better counters from Warburton now, as he makes Heaney pay for some lazy entries.
Oh! A clean hook from Warburton, how did Heaney eat that?
Heaney is still boxing well, but this one seems to be trending away from him. He keeps a high guard but doesn’t move his head much, and that bloody nose might be hindering his breathing.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Warburton bloodies Heaney...
Saturday 28 March 2026 21:32 , Alex PattleRound five
Warburton really started to dial it up late in round four. Can he carry that momentum into this frame?
Heaney with a good start to this round, but his head is snapped back by a duo of snapping jabs from Warburton.
Now a good, range-closing one-two by Warburton. Still Heaney talks forward, trying to hold the middle of the ring.
Oh, but he walks onto more straight counters, and his nose is bloodied now! It’s streaming down through that thick moustache, spilling over his chin.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Heaney’s walkout captivates
Saturday 28 March 2026 21:10 , Alex PattleThere was an argument for Taylor vs Hutchinson to be the chief-support fight tonight, but Heaney’s walkout shows why he’s in that slot instead!
He walks out to Tom Jones’s “Delilah”, with his fans (he sold a TON of tickets!) in full voice throughout.
“Hea-ney!” is the chant now, as the first bell looms. Boos as Warburton is introduced.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Nathan Heaney vs Gerome Warburton
Saturday 28 March 2026 21:01 , Alex PattleHeaney has said he could walk away from boxing if he loses this one.
His contingent is already making some good noise in the crowd.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Hutchinson’s post-fight speech
Saturday 28 March 2026 20:51 , Alex PattleHutchinson: “ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!?!
“Massive respect to Ezra Taylor, even though he hates me – before the fight and probably even more now.
“The difference between me and him... Listen, he’s a warrior, he can fight, but unfortunately being a fighter isn’t enough. I’ve got the recipe.
“I believe I’m one of the best light-heavyweights in the world, and I proved it tonight.
“I’m no different from the next man. If you see me walking around here, I’m the softest, quietest person in the world – if I saw someone getting bullied, I’d probably cry – but I can rock and roll!”
That’s about a fifth of what Hutchinson said, to be fair. He can talk – and he can box, as he showed tonight.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Hutchinson with wide win
Saturday 28 March 2026 20:48 , Alex PattleWilly Hutchinson def. Ezra Taylor via unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 98-92)
A really strong performance from Hutchinson, who talked a big game and delivered on the night. Fair play.
Taylor must be gutted, given the build-up. He walks around the ring slowly but you get the impression he wishes he could just fight again ASAP.
Itauma vs Franklin live: Security at the ready for Taylor vs Hutchinson?
Saturday 28 March 2026 19:55 , Alex PattleSecurity was on hand for the face-off between Taylor and Scotland’s Hutchinson.
Hopefully they won’t be needed tonight!
Itauma vs Franklin live: Pauls with the upset
Saturday 28 March 2026 19:46 , Alex Pattle
Itauma vs Franklin live: Pauls with comeback KO out of nowhere!
Saturday 28 March 2026 19:40 , Alex PattleRound nine
Oh, my word!! Pauls lets go with a brave barrage, and Thompson goes down!
He’s onto a knee, and although he beats the ref’s count, he’s so vulnerable now...
Pauls is pouring on shots, some of them scrappy – he’s eating punches, too – but he’s landing on repeat!
OH, Thompson goes down again and the ref wave sit off before he’s even hit the mat!
WHAT A COMEBACK!
