Moses Itauma stops Jermaine Franklin in five, WBO mandatory in play

Itauma wasted no time. He planted his feet and let his hands go and got behind his shots, breaking Franklin down with speed and clean hitting. The finish came sharp. A left uppercut in the middle had Franklin unsteady, then a right hand sent him face first to the canvas.

That kind of stoppage gets the attention of a sanctioning body. Itauma was already number 1 at the WBO, and this result will push movement.

“Given Moses Itauma’s current position as the #1 WBO world-ranked contender, and after defeating world-ranked contender Jermaine Franklin by knockout in defense of his WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Championship, he further cemented his position in the division as a rising star.

“I would formally recommend that Mr. Itauma be named the mandatory challenger in the WBO heavyweight division.”

The belt is held by Fabio Wardley, who defends against Daniel Dubois on May 9 in Manchester. That fight now carries more than a defense. This sets up the next move for Itauma.

If Wardley holds the belt, the situation worsens. Ben Davison works with both men, and that makes a direct fight difficult. Itauma also holds a top position with the WBA, giving his team another route to keep him active while establishing the WBO position.

If Dubois wins, the way is cleared. A two-time champion against an up-and-coming contender with power and quick hands is a fight that immediately makes sense.

Itauma has already mentioned Filip Hrgovic as a target, but Hrgovic is committed to Dave Allen on May 16. That leaves Murat Gassiev as a live option. Gassiev has shown a willingness to take the fight, and that’s not a name most heavyweights chase.

Itauma is 21 and already fights like a contender who understands distance and timing. He puts his feet and lets combos go with authority, mixing straight rights with uppercuts to the middle.

The WBO must act now. Itauma did his part.