Frank Warren’s not retiring — he’s reloading. To mark his 45 years as a licensed British boxing promoter, the old warhorse is bringing back The Magnificent 7 to Manchester, and this one’s got heavyweight carnage written all over it. Moses Itauma, the 20-year-old wrecking ball who vaporised Dillian Whyte in one round, is headlining against Michigan’s Jermain Franklin. January 24. Co-op Live. Live on DAZN.
Warren’s calling it a “statement of intent” for 2026, but everyone knows the real draw — it’s Moses. The lad looks like he was built in a lab for violence. Thirteen fights in, thirteen wins, eleven of them stoppages, and not one poor soul has figured him out yet. Franklin, at 32, is meant to be the “test.” Experienced, tough, been twelve with Whyte and Joshua. But he’s coming to Manchester to face a kid who already fights like a man who doesn’t believe in judges.
The kid’s already built like a champion — but is Franklin his first real threat?
Itauma’s rise has been ridiculous. Fast hands, ice-cold composure, and that heavyweight spite most lads lose once they get paid. He’s looked untouchable so far, but Franklin isn’t some journeyman with a padded record. The man can take a punch — hell, he ate right hands from Joshua and stayed upright. If Itauma can’t blow him out early, we’ll finally see what happens when the golden boy has to grind.
Still, there’s that eerie calm about Moses. No trash talk, no circus. Just that deadpan stare, the one you see from fighters who actually like the violence. You can tell he’s not thinking about Franklin — he’s thinking about belts, legacy, and maybe, one day, names like Usyk or Dubois. Warren knows it too. He’s seen the script before: young monster, old gatekeeper, big statement.
Undercard stacked with domestic scraps — pure British chaos incoming
The rest of the lineup reads like a proper throwback card — no fluff, just fights. Willy Hutchinson vs Ezra Taylor at light heavyweight is a guaranteed shootout. Hutchinson’s coming off that ruthless win over Mark Jeffers, while Taylor’s unbeaten and mean. Someone’s “0” probably dies that night.
Then there’s Zak Miller vs Liam Davies — British and Commonwealth featherweight straps on the line. Two lads with identical 17-1 records, both thinking they’re the next big thing. It’s going to be messy in the best way.
At middleweight, Shakiel Thompson defends his WBO Global title against Brad Pauls, while Nathan Heaney, everyone’s favourite Stoke lad, brings his Potteries mob to Manchester to face Gerome Warburton. Add Alex Murphy vs Josh Holmes and Aqib Fiaz vs Jordan Flynn at lightweight — that’s your pub talk sorted for the week.
Frank Warren, still sharp as broken glass after four decades in the trenches, said it best:
“It’s a statement of intent for the New Year… this card does justice to the occasion, and I’m very happy to have our heavyweight prodigy Moses topping the bill.”
Fair play. After 45 years, the man’s still throwing bigger shows than half the promoters half his age. The Magnificent 7 is his victory lap — but don’t mistake it for nostalgia. He’s got a monster in Moses, and this is just the beginning of the next era.
Full Magnificent 7 Fight Card – Co-op Live Arena, Manchester (Saturday, January 24, 2026 | Live on DAZN)
- Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) vs Jermain Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs) – Heavyweights
- Willy Hutchinson (19-2, 14 KOs) vs Ezra Taylor (13-0, 9 KOs) – Light Heavyweights
- Zak Miller (17-1, 3 KOs) vs Liam Davies (17-1, 8 KOs) – British & Commonwealth Featherweight Titles
- Shakiel Thompson (15-0, 11 KOs) vs Brad Pauls (20-2-1, 11 KOs) – WBO Global Middleweight Title
- Nathan Heaney (19-1-1, 6 KOs) vs Gerome Warburton (16-2-2, 2 KOs) – Middleweights
- Alex Murphy (14-2) vs Josh Holmes (17-0, 6 KOs) – Lightweights (English Title)
- Aqib Fiaz (14-1, 2 KOs) vs Jordan Flynn (12-1-1, 2 KOs) – Lightweights
Promoter: Frank Warren / Queensberry Promotions
Broadcast: Live and exclusive on DAZN
Venue: Co-op Live Arena, Manchester
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026