The WBA picture is already in place. Gassiev holds the secondary belt, Itauma is ranked No 1 behind him, and a meeting between them is there if results hold. That route depends on what happens this weekend.
“I don’t know, maybe,” Gassiev told Sky Sports. “He has a fight against [Jermaine] Franklin. We’ll see what happens after this fight and when this fight is finished we can speak about [what] next.”
Gassiev’s take on the fight is simple. If Franklin keeps it long, physical, and disciplined, the shape of the bout changes.
“It’s the heavyweight division, big guys, good punchers, good power and I don’t know what’ll happen,” Gassiev said. “Itauma has a chance, Franklin has a chance. I can’t see the future. I think who’s training better will win.”
That uncertainty comes down to rounds. Itauma has taken opponents out early with sharp punch selection and clean finishing instinct, but Franklin does not give you that kind of fight. He holds his ground, works behind a tight guard, and answers back when you open up.
“Itauma’s a young fighter, talented, strong, fast, Itauma’s very good,” Gassiev said. “Franklin’s a very good fighter. I don’t know… He’s not an easy opponent for him.”
Franklin’s durability is the key factor, with his ability to extend fights posing a different test for Itauma. He has gone rounds with Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua, never hitting the canvas, staying composed under pressure, and keeping his workrate steady. That profile is built to take a fight deeper than Itauma has been.
Itauma will need to manage pace, keep his balance when letting combinations go, and maintain control of distance without forcing the finish. That is where young heavyweights get tested.
Gassiev is not calling the upset, but he is not dismissing it either. In his view, this is the kind of fight that decides whether a prospect is ready to move toward the belt or needs more rounds.
“I’m just training,” Gassiev said. “We have a plan to fight in the middle of the summer, like July and we’re working for this right now. Right now a lot of top fighters have fights and after their fights we’ll see, see what plans and what next.”
If Itauma comes through clean, the WBA path stays open. If Franklin drags him into deep water, that conversation can wait.
Read the full article here