The Wrecking Ball, 20, was due to face the 989 Assassin, 32, on January 24, 2026 at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, but the bout has now been rescheduled for March 28 after Ituama suffered an injury during training.
Queensberry Promotions confirmed the delay in a short statement, on social media, saying: “Unfortunately Moses Itauma has sustained an injury in camp and therefore the Magnificent 7 show has been rescheduled for March 28.”
Itauma has quickly emerged as one of British boxing’s most exciting prospects, extending his perfect professional record to 13-0 with 11 stoppages after flattening Dillian Whyte, 37, inside the opening round in Saudi Arabia in August 2025.
The performance only heightened expectations around the London-based heavyweight, who is widely viewed as a future world champion.
Franklin, however, represents a significant step up in durability and experience.
The boxer has never been stopped in 26 professional contests and has previously gone the distance with Anthony Joshua, 36 and Whyte in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Despite being dismissed by some observers, Franklin’s resilience has been acknowledged by Itauma’s team.
Speaking to talkSPORT, promoter Frank Warren stressed the importance of the matchup.
He said: “We’ve got a really, really good quality fight with Moses against Jermaine Franklin. You know, he’s never been stopped, and this is a tough fight for him.
“I think this is going to be the fight that will set [Itauma] up. I hope he comes through, and it will set him up this year to challenge for a world title.”
The bout is expected to provide Itauma with valuable rounds, something often cited as the next step in his development.
Warren explained why Franklin fits that brief.
He said: “People say to you that you want to get rounds under you. But you’re putting him in with fighters that you feel he will get rounds out of, and that’s the feeling with Jermaine.
“He’s done 12 rounds and went the distance with AJ … Same thing with Dillian Whyte, and a lot of people thought he actually nicked that fight.”
While Franklin’s durability suggests a stern test, Warren insists Itauma’s explosive power remains a decisive factor.
He said: “If he blasts him out in one or two rounds, I haven’t got a problem with that. You know, you don’t get paid overtime in boxing.”
Looking ahead, Itauma has made no secret of his ambition to win world titles in 2026, with Warren backing him to make history.
He explained: “If Moses comes through this fight, I think he sets himself up for fighting for a world title … maybe even becoming the youngest Brit to ever win a world title.”
