Moses Itauma will return to the ring on January 24 in Manchester, England, where he will face American Jermaine Franklin at the Co-Op Live arena.
Itauma (13-0, 11 KO) is one of the most exhilarating adolescent fighters in the world, but this year he has struggled to find opponents willing to face his destructive power. In 2025, he fought only three rounds.
The 20-year-old’s last victory came in August against former world title challenger Dillian Whyte, when Itauma scored another sensational first-round knockout.
Itauma will start the fresh year with a fight against Franklin (24-2, 15 KO), whose only two defeats were against Whyte and Anthony Joshua (both scored). Another stoppage win for Itauma could significantly improve Whyte and Joshua’s victories over Franklin.
“We are thrilled to deliver such a powerful Magnificent 7 [card] for fans on our first UK show in 2026,” said promoter Frank Warren.
“It is a statement of intentions for the Up-to-date Year and a sign of what is to come.
– Eddie Hearn clears up three rumors about Anthony Joshua’s plans
– Jake Paul’s wish list for fresh fights: Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia and more
“This program will also successfully celebrate my 45th year in the professional business and I believe this card certainly captures the occasion and I am very cheerful that our heavyweight prodigy Moses has emerged victorious in another excellent test of his unquestionable credentials against a very tough American in Jermaine Franklin.”
Training under Ben Davison, Itauma has become the next face of the heavyweight division and should be in contention for the world title in 2026.
The WBA ordered its regular titleholder Kubrat Pulev to fight Itauma, but it has since been announced that Pulev will fight Murat Gassiev on December 12 in Dubai.
The move was a blow to Itauma, who has constrained ring time as a professional due to his impressive knockout record.
The Slovak-born Briton has not had to go past the second round in his last nine fights.
A heavyweight bout will headline Queensberry’s latest “Magnificent 7” event, which will feature a domestic lithe heavyweight fight between British prospects Willy Hutchinson (19-2, 14 KO) and Ezra Taylor (13-0, 9 KO).