After a stunning knockout of Mike Balogun on Josh Taylor’s undercard, the question remains – What’s next for Moses Itauma?
Moses Itauma seems to be moving from strength to strength as his last eight opponents have all failed to make it past the second round.
Itauma, who has beaten Mariusz Wach and Demsey McKean, has fought just 11 rounds in his last eight fights.
Itauma said he needs more rounds before he’s willing to face Filip Hrgovic, Martin Bakole, or any other top name, though maintains he is confident he can beat them.
One name has been floating around on social media with regard to Itauma’s next opponent, and was pointed out by boxing pundit Ade Oladipo recently, a man who could give Itauma some trouble.
Moses Itauma could land fight with Jermaine Franklin in Wembley this Summer
It has already been confirmed that Itauma will be fighting on the Daniel Dubois vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 undercard in Wembley this July, but it is still unclear who he will be against.
In a podcast with boxing journalist Gareth A. Davies and pundit Ade Oladipo, Oladipo brought up one name that could give Itauma his much-desired rounds – Jermaine Franklin.
He said: “It’s someone that we’ve seen go the distance with AJ, some say he beat Dillian Whyte, he’s only lost twice, he’s a massive step up from Mike Balogun and Demsey McKean.”
Franklin lost a majority decision to Whyte in 2022, and then a unanimous decision to Anthony Joshua in 2023.
He has fought just twice since, once more in 2023, and, most recently, in May last year against 22-10 Devin Vargas.
There are no plans for Itauma to face Franklin yet, though this could be a good match-up for the young Brit.
Moses Itauma’s brother elevated his record with a win this year
Itauma’s brother, Karol Itauma, has not been mentioned quite as much as his brother, and is not touted, at least not yet, as a world-beating prospect.
Karol has a record of 13-1, having defeated an 18-14-2 opponent by stoppage in March.
His one loss came against Ezequiel Maderna, a 28-10 fighter who knocked Itauma out in the fifth round of their contest.