Franklin selected to test Itauma’s ability to go distance and adjust mid-fight
Moses Itauma faces Jermaine Franklin in a fight designed to test more than his power, according to Frank Warren. The focus is on how he handles rounds if the stoppage does not come.
The Queensberry promoter Warren said big punchers eventually face opponents they cannot stop and must adjust. “All big punchers eventually they’ll fight someone who they won’t stop, and they got to go to plan B,” he said on talkSPORT. He added that Itauma has “a good boxing brain” and can box if needed.
Thus far, Itauma, 21, hasn’t had to use a backup plan due to the low quality of opposition he’s been matched against. He’s fought a lot of older fighters and hasn’t had step-ups.
Itauma faces the capable gatekeeper Jermaine Franklin in his 14th fight, a heavyweight who has gone the distance with Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte and has never been stopped. Warren said the fight was made to test Itauma against a durable opponent. “We made it for a reason. Someone who’s going to test him,” Frank said on why Jermaine was chosen for Itauma.
Franklin has 27 fights with only two losses, both coming four years ago, including a close decision against Whyte. Warren said Franklin’s experience and durability make him a suitable opponent to extend Itauma if the knockout does not come early.
He said if Itauma does not get the stoppage, the fight should show another side of him in the ring. Warren said he wants to see how Itauma handles a situation where power does not end the fight.
Warren also pointed to inactivity as a concern, saying Itauma had only two fights last year due to injuries and did not get enough rounds. He said this fight should show how Itauma handles extended rounds if the stoppage does not come.
Warren said Itauma is ranked #1 with the WBO and in position for a title shot if he keeps winning. He said a world title fight is possible by the end of the year if progress continues.
Frank is moving Itauma forward, but this fight is being used to find out what happens when the power is not enough. We haven’t seen how Itauma reacts when he starts getting hit by someone who fights back. Going by how he looked when he was under duress in some of his amateur bouts, he doesn’t like it when he’s facing pressure fighters with size.
