Frank Warren isn’t retiring – he’s rebooting. To celebrate his 45 years as a licensed British boxing promoter, he’s bringing back the old warhorse The Magnificent 7 to Manchester, and this one has heavyweight carnage written all over it. Moses Itauma, the 20-year-old wrecking ball who vaporized Dillian Whyte in one round, is the front-runner against Michigan’s Jermain Franklin. January 24th. Cooperative Live. Live on DAZN.
Warren calls it a “statement of intent” for 2026, but everyone knows the real draw – it’s Moses. The boy looks like he was built in a laboratory for violence. Thirteen battles in, thirteen victories, eleven of them interruptions, and not one poor soul has figured him out yet. Franklin, at 32, is meant to be the “test.” Experienced, tough, were twelve with Whyte and Joshua. But he comes to Manchester to face a kid who already fights like a man who doesn’t believe in judges.
The kid is already built like a champion – but is Franklin his first real threat?
Itauma’s rise was ridiculous. Quick hands, ice cold composure and that heavyweight despite the fact that most guys lose once they get paid. He’s looked untouchable so far, but Franklin isn’t some jack of all trades with a padded record. The man can pack a punch – hell, he ate right hands from Joshua and stayed up. If Itauma can’t blow him out early, we’ll finally see what happens when the golden boy has to grind.
Yet there is that eerie calm about Moses. No trash talk, no circus. Just that dead stare, the one you see from fighters who actually like the violence. You can tell he’s not thinking about Franklin – he’s thinking about belts, legacy, and maybe, one day, names like Usyk or Dubois. Warren knows it too. He’s seen the script before: young monster, old gatekeeper, big statement.
Undercard full of domestic scraps – pure British mayhem coming in
The rest of the series reads like a proper throwback card – no fluff, just fights. Willy Hutchinson vs Ezra Taylor at light heavyweight is a guaranteed shootout. Hutchinson is coming off that ruthless win over Mark Jeffers, while Taylor is undefeated and mean. Someone’s “0” probably dies that night.
Then there’s Zak Miller vs Liam Davies – British and Commonwealth featherweight belts on the line. Two guys with identical 17-1 records, both thinking they’re the next big thing. It’s going to be messy in the best way.
At middleweight, Shakiel Thompson defends his WBO Global title against Brad Pauls, while everyone’s favorite Stoke boy Nathan Heaney brings his Potteries crowd to Manchester to face Gerome Warburton. Add Alex Murphy vs Josh Holmes and Aqib Fiaz vs Jordan Flynn at lightweight – that’s your pub talk sorted for the week.
Frank Warren, still sharp as broken glass after four decades in the trenches, said it best:
“It’s a statement of intent for the New Year … this card does justice to the occasion, and I’m very happy that our heavyweight prodigy Moses has the crown.”
Fair play. After 45 years, the man still gives bigger shows than half the promoters half his age. The Magnificent 7 is his victory lap – but don’t mistake that for nostalgia. He has a monster in Moses, and this is just the beginning of the next age.
Full Magnificent 7 Fight Card – Co-op Live Arena, Manchester (Saturday 24 January 2026 | Live on DAZN)
- Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) vs. Jermain Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs) – Heavyweights
- Willy Hutchinson (19-2, 14 KOs) vs. Ezra Taylor (13-0, 9 KOs) – Light Heavyweights
- Zak Miller (17-1, 3 KOs) vs Liam Davies (17-1, 8 KOs) – British and Commonwealth Featherweight Titles
- Shakiel Thompson (15-0, 11 KOs) vs Brad Pauls (20-2-1, 11 KOs) – WBO Global Middleweight Title
- Nathan Heaney (19-1-1, 6 KOs) vs. Gerome Warburton (16-2-2, 2 KOs) – Middleweights
- Alex Murphy (14-2) vs Josh Holmes (17-0, 6 KOs) – Lightweights (English title)
- Aqib Fiaz (14-1, 2 KOs) vs. Jordan Flynn (12-1-1, 2 KOs) – Lightweight
Promoter: Frank Warren / Queensberry Promotions
Broadcast: Vibrant and exclusive on DAZN
Place: Co-op Live Arena, Manchester
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Last updated on 11/10/2025
