Moses Itauma settled matters early and cleanly, stopping Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round after a fight that at no stage looked competitive.
The heavyweight bout took place at the O2 Arena in London, where Itauma controlled the distance from the opening bell using quicker hands and sharper timing. Franklin tried to walk forward and apply pressure, but he struggled to get anything meaningful going as Itauma picked him off with straight punches and short combinations. The pace and accuracy made it clear early on that Franklin would have to absorb punishment just to stay in contention.
The end came in round five after a short but decisive series. Itauma landed a right hook and then followed with a left hand that visibly hurt Franklin near the one-minute mark. Sensing the opening, Itauma stepped in and delivered a left uppercut on the inside that left Franklin on his feet, and he collapsed face-first on the canvas as the referee immediately waved it off.
Franklin has shown durability in previous fights, but he couldn’t close the distance or slow down Itauma here. The speed difference was constant, and the power finally broke through in a way that its previous rivals had not managed.
The stoppage marked the first time Franklin had been stopped in his career, and it underscored just how far apart the two fighters were on the night.
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Last updated on 2026/03/28 at 18:50
