Moses Itauma’s Fight with Jermaine Franklin Postponed After Injury

Moses Itauma’s planned step forward has been put on hold.

The 20 year old heavyweight was forced to withdraw from his January 24 fight against Jermaine Franklin after suffering an injury in training. The bout was scheduled to take place in Manchester, but the setback has pushed the entire card back to March 28.

Itauma, widely viewed as one of the division’s youngest rising contenders, had been lined up for his most experienced opponent to date. The Franklin fight was intended to extend his activity following his one round stoppage of Dillian Whyte and begin answering questions that have followed his rapid rise.

Instead, the delay interrupts that run.

Queensberry Promotions confirmed the postponement in a brief statement, citing the injury and announcing the new March date. No further details were provided on the nature of the issue or how much time Itauma will miss beyond the rescheduled bout.

The timing matters. Itauma has been moved quickly and decisively since turning professional, but most of his recent work has ended early. That has left little opportunity to see how he handles extended rounds or difficult moments. Franklin, while no longer at the top of the division, represents a durable and experienced test that does not go away easily.

That test will now have to wait.

The injury also stalls broader plans that had begun to form around Itauma’s next phase. Talk of future opportunities against established names has circulated, but none of that moves without activity. For a young heavyweight still building professional rounds, time away from the ring is rarely helpful.

Itauma’s situation is not unique. Fast starts often bring logistical friction, injuries included. The difference here is how little room there is for idle time at his age, with expectations already climbing and the division crowded with older, more established names.

For now, the focus narrows back to March 28 and whether Itauma can resume where he left off once he returns. The Franklin fight remains the next scheduled step. It just comes later than planned.