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

Itauma did not 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 came sharp. A left uppercut up the middle had Franklin unsteady, then a right hand sent him down face-first on the canvas.

That kind of stoppage gets the attention 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 as 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 within the division as a rising star.

“I will formally recommend that Mr. Itauma be designated as the Mandatory Challenger in 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 more than a defense. It sets the next move for Itauma.

If Wardley keeps the belt, the situation tightens. Ben Davison works with both men, and that complicates a direct fight. Itauma also holds a top spot with the WBA, which gives his team another route to keep him active while the WBO position settles.

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

Itauma has already mentioned Filip Hrgovic as a target, 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 is not a name most heavyweights rush toward.

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

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