Moses Itauma delivered a strong message to the heavyweight division by defeating Jermaine Franklin in a commanding fashion. Itauma, now with 12 victories by stoppage in 14 professional fights, achieved what Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte couldn’t by halting Franklin before the fifth round, a step further than Itauma had previously gone in his career.
The 21-year-old British boxer showcased his dominance by knocking down Franklin in the third round and expressing his satisfaction with his performance. Itauma acknowledged his attempt to secure an early knockout but adjusted his strategy to focus on body shots, ultimately leading to the decisive finish.
Throughout the fight, Itauma controlled the pace, landing effective combinations and utilizing his speed to trouble Franklin. With precise punches to the body and head, Itauma maintained his advantage, ultimately flooring Franklin in the third round with a powerful hook.
Despite displaying patience in the ring, Itauma swiftly ended the match in the fifth round with a left uppercut followed by a right hand that sent Franklin crashing to the canvas. The victory solidified Itauma’s position as a rising star in the heavyweight division.
In other matches on the undercard, Willy Hutchinson secured a victory over Ezra Taylor, Nathan Heaney suffered a defeat against Gerome Warburton, and Brad Pauls pulled off an impressive upset by stopping the previously undefeated Shakiel Thompson in the ninth round. Pauls, who had faced setbacks in the past, showcased resilience and skill in his victory over Thompson.
For more news updates, consider Daily Mirror as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for timely and relevant information.