The Wrecking Ball, 20, is due to face 989 Assassin, 32, at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena in two months’ time, and Itauma will be looking to extend his professional record to 13 wins from 13 fights.
Itauma’s promoter Frank Warren said in a statement: “I am very happy to have our heavyweight prodigy Moses topping the bill in another perfect test of his unquestionable credentials against a very tough American.”
The Wrecking Ball is coming off his resounded victory over Dillian Whyte, 37, who he knocked out inside one round.
Meanwhile, Franklin had also taken Whyte and Anthony Joshua, 36, the distance in their respective 2022 and 2023 bouts, and has never been stopped in all of his 26 professional contests.
As well as Franklin, Itauma had been ordered to fight with WBA titleholder Kubrat Pulev, 44, though The Cobra has since moved past The Wrecking Ball in favour of Murat Gassiev, 32.
Warren said of the Pulev-Gassiev clash, which will take place next month in Dubai: “We've got to see what happens with this Pulev situation because the WBA ordered that fight and he can't get out of it. We'll see where we go.
“They're talking about they want to go to Dubai for this Gassiev fight but the WBA has not sanctioned that fight, to my knowledge.
“How can you sanction a fight if you're putting another one out? So we are where we are.”
After Pulev chose to fight Gassiev instead of Itauma, The Cobra’s promoter Ivaylo Gotzev said The Wrecking Ball “must wait his turn” for a shot at Pulev.
He said in a statement: “The Pulev vs Gassiev fight is signed, sealed, and confirmed - so Itauma will have to wait his turn.
“We have an official WBA resolution authorising Kubrat Pulev's first title defence to be a voluntary, and in line with that, we've locked in a terrific opponent in Murat Gassiev.”
Gotzev added he had spoken with Warren about Exodus potentially fighting on the undercard.
He said: “We understand young Itauma is chomping at the bit, and as a professional courtesy I've spoken directly with his promoter, George Warren of Queensberry Promotions, to offer him a slot on the undercard.
“That would set the perfect stage for him to face the winner of the main event. This keeps everything aligned with the WBA's directive and ensures fans get a stacked world-class heavyweight spectacle in Dubai.”
