Jermain Franklin faces undefeated Moses Itauma in high-stakes heavyweight showdown
Jermain Franklin is gearing up for a tough challenge against undefeated Moses Itauma on 28 March 2025. The American heavyweight admits he faces an uphill battle, fighting in Itauma's home country with judges potentially favouring the local fighter. Franklin, however, remains confident his experience will give him the edge.
Itauma, 11 years younger than Franklin, boasts an unblemished record of 11 wins—nine by knockout. The bout marks Franklin's third professional fight in the UK, where he expects a hostile atmosphere.
Franklin's career has seen highs and lows, including a devastating loss to Anthony Joshua in 2023. He still considers that defeat his hardest-hitting moment in the ring. Yet, his toughest fight, he says, came against Ivan Dychko later that year—a bout overshadowed by personal tragedy. His father passed away just two weeks before the match, which took place on the undercard of Terence Crawford's victory over Canelo Alvarez.
Since then, Franklin has bounced back with consecutive wins against Issac Munoz Gutierrez and Devin Vargas. Now, he prepares for Itauma, ready to 'dog it out' if needed. The age gap and home advantage may work against him, but he insists his ring IQ will be key.
Itauma, meanwhile, enters the fight with a perfect record. All but two of his victories have come by knockout, signalling his explosive power. Franklin, though, remains unfazed, having faced elite competition before. The question now is whether experience or youth will prevail in Manchester.
The fight on 28 March 2025 pits Franklin's resilience against Itauma's undefeated streak. A win for Franklin would reassert his position in the heavyweight division, while Itauma aims to extend his knockout-heavy record. The outcome may hinge on how well Franklin navigates the pressure of a hostile crowd and a younger, hungry opponent.
