Comments Thread For: Moses Itauma-Jermaine Franklin tops Warren's Magnificent 7 bill in Manchester

[Coverdale]

I expect a focused and on-fire Itauma to go right through Franklin. Look for the match to be waved off late in round 1. If Warren is serious about seeing Itauma develop, he might wanna book two additional outings before end of June 2026. One against another top-twenty type and another against Dubois-Parker-Hrgovic-Zhang or Bakole.

I thought Hrgovic was the original plan for his next fight. I assume the recurrence of the cut first sustained in his fight with Dubois has held this up.

[Tag, You're Hit]

Itauma will only get rounds here if he carries Franklin.

Franklin has nothing left and is in grotesque shape. He has lost his mobility and can not pull the trigger and in his last fight he spent half of it grabbing Dychko by the waist and trying to suck him off. He is a total punchbag. Mid as anything even at his best and beaten nobody (legitimately) in like maybe even the top 50?

People will say its a good fight and he can give Itauma rounds but its based on him going the distance with AJ & Whyte, two very limited HWs. Itauma isn't some ponderous lump like those two and that Franklin is long gone.
Its simple really he has lost his mobility, relies on his guard and dipping below the waist, he has no power, doesn't know how to counter and has zero work rate - He is going to be stood right in front of Itauma...good luck with that.

I don't think its a good fight its literally the safest one of just about anyone in the top 100, a total waste of time, a farce.
He has no chance, nobody is picking him, the best argument for him is ''oh he might be able to survive past a few rounds'' like this is really a selling point? I'm supposed to be excited for this? This is how low the bar is these days?

I think the decision to go with Franklin is multi-fold:
1. They need to get Itauma in the ring and all the other fights haven't materialized
2. Franklin could possibly give Moses some rounds.
3. If/when (I think when) Itauma stops Franklin they'll use it as a hype tool. "Itauma is the first person to stop Frankin, who went the distance with AJ and Whyte."

[hugh grant]

Itauma might win easy. But it's his best opponent to date

[Joseph]

Itauma is fighting a guy who lost to the guy he just starched previously. A slower, fatter version at that.

Fuck outta here.

[NihonJim]

Jermaine Franklin is probably the best current American heavyweight.

I expect Itauma to go through him inside 3 rounds.

[Moz_boxing]

He fought and beat Whyte. Taking a major step back now and fighting Franklin is not the way to go in his development.

I'm not talking about a step up in name recognition i'm talking about getting some actual rounds in and develop as a fighter who gets used to fight more than 2-3 rounds under the lights.

Whyte was the perfect opponent to let Itauma look good stylistically just perfect a slow rusty and chinny HW who is way past his prime and has absolutely no legs left.

Franklin is not a world beater by any means but he is durable and is fundamentally solid. He took two massive punchers who had way more experience than him to the distance and he was not all negative in these fights he actually tried to get some shots in.

I stand by what i say Franklin makes absolute sense and an opponent like him is needed at this stage if he blows him out in quick fashion more power to him if he goes some rounds or even the distance also good. Not a big threat of a one punch KO either it's a good learning fight.

Another option would have been Miller but i guess Miller wants to much money to fight someone like Itauma.

[SteveM]

I'm not talking about a step up in name recognition i'm talking about getting some actual rounds in and develop as a fighter who gets used to fight more than 2-3 rounds under the lights.

Whyte was the perfect opponent to let Itauma look good stylistically just perfect a slow rusty and chinny HW who is way past his prime and has absolutely no legs left.

Franklin is not a world beater by any means but he is durable and is fundamentally solid. He took two massive punchers who had way more experience than him to the distance and he was not all negative in these fights he actually tried to get some shots in.

I stand by what i say Franklin makes absolute sense and an opponent like him is needed at this stage if he blows him out in quick fashion more power to him if he goes some rounds or even the distance also good. Not a big threat of a one punch KO either it's a good learning fight.

Another option would have been Miller but i guess Miller wants to much money to fight someone like Itauma.

i think hes probably lost his durability - i'm going early ref stoppage

yeah - this is a loaded card by UK standards so they all need paying too meaning less money for Itauma's opponentt

[Hooded Terror]

I thought Hrgovic was the original plan for his next fight. I assume the recurrence of the cut first sustained in his fight with Dubois has held this up.

No doubt you are correct. That aside, I think Hrgovic peaked a few years back and I expect Itauma would stop him within 4 or 5 rounds. The thing is, would Hrgovic test Itauma or would he just hang tough until the match is stopped?

[pollywog]

A whole lot of meh. I'd rather see Itauma vs Jalolov.

See how the hungry young gun stacks up against an older decorated amateur and Olympic gold medalist while seeing how an older decorated amateur and reigning Olympic gold medallist stacks up against a hungry young gun.

Both need to step up and prove their worth and credentials as legit contenders not hyped up pretenders.

Most likely - as per Whyte in Itauma's last fight - Franklin will be turning up for a paycheck, replete with no-win bonus clause.

I expect the same result. Franklin walks himself onto a shot in the first round, takes a dive and grabs the bag. Thank you very much and good night.

[gauze]

That is actually the right fight for Itauma. I predicted that fight for him before Whyte fight.

Franklin can give this kid some rounds.

nah, this is a fight for itauma to blast out the dude that went the distance with joshua so he looks amazing and the best next thing. franklin "way too much tv time" jones is the sacrificial lamb