March Delay for “Magnificent 7” Show
Now, Itauma’s injury forced the entire “Magnificent 7” event to be postponed. The fight against Franklin has now been moved to March 28, a two-month delay that stalls Itauma’s plans for early 2026. While the news is a blow to the fighter, it’s also a disappointment to fans eager to see how Itauma would fare against a seasoned opponent like Franklin.
Queensberry Promotions confirmed the delay and released a statement that read: “Unfortunately, Moses Itauma suffered an injury in camp. Therefore, the Magnificent 7 show has been rescheduled for March 28.”
Plans on hold for the young heavyweight
The injury is a frustrating development for Itauma, who was keen to move forward with his career. He hoped to stay on course for a world title shot, possibly against Oleksandr Usyk or Fabio Wardley. This delay means that Itauma’s claim to become Britain’s youngest ever heavyweight champion will have to wait.
Itauma’s road to a world title was not without its obstacles. A potential chance at the WBA “regular” title slipped away when Murat Gassiev seized the opportunity instead and knocked out Kubrat Pulev. That situation left Itauma looking for an opponent and now, with Franklin out of the picture for the next few months, he faces more uncertainty.
A rising star’s test is on hiatus
While Itauma remains the most exciting young heavyweight in the sport, the question of whether he can go round and handle adversity in the ring remains unanswered. His rapid knockout streak, including a vicious finish of Whyte, fueled fears that he would not gain the experience needed to make the jump to elite competition. The fight with Franklin was seen as a potential step forward in that regard, but now it will have to wait.
