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Frank Warren targets Moses Itauma’s US debut against recent signing

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Moses Itauma and Jermaine Franklin face-to-face ahead of Saturday's clash in Manchester Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Frank Warren plans to take Moses Itauma to America and already has an opponent in mind.

Itauma, who has signed with Warren’s Queensberry Promotions since his professional debut, takes another step towards a maiden world heavyweight title fight when he faces American Jermaine Franklin live on DAZN in Manchester on Saturday.

The undefeated 21-year-old has defeated his first 13 professional opponents and is already strongly linked with a fight with the unified champion, Aleksander Usyk.

On Wednesday, Warren bolstered his already packed heavyweight roster by signing American heavyweight Jared Anderson in a joint promotion with Top Rank, and the Hall of Fame promoter believes his recent protégé could face Itauma in the US in the future.

“This is an opportunity for him [Anderson] to really rebuild our position,” Warren said A place of stomping.

Moses Itauma and Jermaine Franklin face-to-face ahead of Saturday’s clash in Manchester Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

“Moses fights an American in Jermaine on Saturday.

“If he can do that, and if Jared can handle it and get some wins under his belt, we’ll take Moses to America and maybe fight him there.”

Anderson is reportedly set to make his debut under the Queensberry banner on the undercard of Fabio Wardley’s WBO heavyweight title defense against Daniel Dubois, with Sol Dacres being his likely opponent.

The 26-year-old bounced back from a devastating fifth-round loss to Martin Bakole to defeat Marios Kollias by unanimous decision in February last year.

Itauma eliminated former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in the first round in August, while Franklin only suffered losses to Whyte and Anthony Joshua, both of whom went the distance.

Itauma, who has never gone beyond six rounds as a professional, says the Michigan State fighter will answer many of the questions surrounding him.

“I see more in Jermaine Franklin’s eyes than in many of my previous opponents,” he said at Thursday’s final news conference.

“So I know he’s ready and I’ll be there.

Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

“All the attributes he has still question me.

“People wonder if I have a chin and if I can handle that distance.

“Jermaine Franklin, that’s what he’s known for.

“He is known for keeping people at bay and giving them tough fights.

“I feel like this is the final piece of the puzzle.”

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UK Boxing

Dillian Whyte interested in rematch with Joseph Parker

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Fabio Wardley amazed Joseph Parker during his performance at the O2: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Dillian Whyte is eager to fight Joseph Parker again.

In 2018, Whyte and Parker played 12 invigorating rounds, with both hitting the canvas.

Whyte won his dramatic heavyweight fight by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena.

‘The Body Snatcher’ is now planning a rematch with the Recent Zealander, who is looking to clear his name after testing positive for cocaine following his October defeat to Fabio Wardley.

“There are a lot of good fights and Joseph Parker is one of them,” the 38-year-old said Ring Magazine.

Fabio Wardley amazed Joseph Parker during his performance at the O2: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

“I would love to fight Joseph Parker, I think it’s a really good fight.

“He has to come back, he has to be cleared or whatever. I don’t know the situation.

“So in the meantime I have to stay busy and fight my way back, so let’s see.

“I feel like I still have a little bit to give, so let’s see what we can do to finish the season on a high.

“I’m training now and I want to come back in May or June.

“Now it’s just a matter of training and seeing what comes out on this kind of date.”

Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Moses Itauma defeated Dillian Whyte in the first round in Riyad. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

The former world title challenger from Brixton has not fought since a crushing first-round knockout defeat to rising contender Moses Itauma last August in Riyad.

Former world champion Parker won six times on spin before being stopped in the 11th round against Wardley, losing the WBO interim title and a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The 34-year-old says he is going through this process after failing the test and hopes it will be resolved soon.

Whyte defeated Parker in 2018. Photo: Reuters
Whyte defeated Parker in 2018. Photo: Reuters

“Let’s hope so [I’m back] soon,” Parker said Professional boxing fans.

“I’m just going through the process and practicing patience.

“We just have to be patient and learn from what they say happened.

“I know what happened and I handed over everything, so let’s see.”

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UK Boxing

“I was nervous” – Tony Yoka reacts to Lawrence Okolie’s failed test

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Lawrence Okolie presented an unfavorable analysis result in the VADA test. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

Tony Yoka has broken his silence on Lawrence Okolie’s failed test that canceled their scheduled heavyweight fight.

On Saturday in Paris, Yoka was scheduled to face Okolie in a fierce heavyweight fight.

But on Tuesday, the Briton failed a VADA test, reportedly for GHRP 2 and its metabolite M8, a synthetic substance that stimulates the body to release human growth hormone.

Promoter Frank Warren tried to find a slow replacement, but later canceled the entire show.

Yoka (33) admits that he was bitterly disappointed with the situation.

Lawrence Okolie presented an unfavorable analysis result in the VADA test. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry

“I was disappointed because I wanted to fight,” said the 33-year-old talkSPORT.

“Of course I was ready.

“It’s not like it happened a few months before, it was three, four days before the fight.

Okolie was scheduled to face Yoka in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Queensberry
Okolie was scheduled to face Yoka in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Queensberry

“It was a great opportunity.

“It would have put me in a really good position, so it really worried me.

“What was more disappointing to me was that they just canceled the entire show, but I understand it’s a business.”

The Frenchman says he won’t wait too long and has been told he will either fight on the card Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois May 9 in Manchester or on the bill Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic on May 16 in Doncaster.

Okolie, the WBC’s number one contender for Oleksandr Usyk’s title, promised in a statement to clear his name.

“Before anyone starts imagining the worst, after last year’s bicep injury, I suffered an elbow injury on the same shoulder during this camp.

“I underwent treatment and now we are here.

“I hope common sense will prevail.

“I will of course cooperate fully with all relevant authorities and I am confident that any investigation will clear my name.

“I will not be making any further comments at this time.

“Thank you for all your support and see you soon.”

The post “I Was Nervous” – Tony Yoka’s Reaction to Lawrence Okolie’s Failed Test appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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David Benavidez is considering two names after Zurdo Ramirez

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Benavidez and Ramirez face-to-face before world title fight Photo: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions

David Benavidez is already looking to the future ahead of next week’s showdown with Zurdo Ramirez.

Benavidez challenges Zurdo for his unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight world titles next Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, live on DAZN pay-per-view.

“The Mexican Monster” is moving up from lightweight heavyweight, where he holds the WBC crown, in a bid to become a three-division world champion.

An undisputed 175-pound title fight with Dmitry Bivol has so far eluded the undefeated 29-year-old, but he insists he will return to the weight class after the Ramirez fight in an attempt to lure Bivol to fight him.

“My plan wasn’t just to abandon the lightweight heavyweight division,” Benavidez said Ariel Helwani show.

“My plan was this [to] come up, win two titles, come back and make this fight with me and Bivol even bigger.

“My dream is to become unified champion.

“It would be wise for me to go back downstairs.”

Benavidez and Ramirez face-to-face before world title fight Photo: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions

Bivol, the holder of the remaining IBF, WBA and WBO belts, will defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 30 in Russia.

The 35-year-old won the undisputed crown, among others revenge victory over Artur Beterbiev in his last appearance last February.

The Russian gave up the WBC belt, which Benavidez currently holds, in pursuit of a third meeting with Beterbiev, which ultimately did not take place.

Benavidez is interested in fighting Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight title
Benavidez is interested in fighting Bivol for the undisputed lightweight heavyweight title

Benavidez, who stopped Anthony Yarde in Riyad in November, is also hoping to fight former undisputed lightweight heavyweight champion Beterbiev, who hasn’t fought since his only professional loss to Bivol.

“After this fight [against Bivol] when I win the titles,” he added.

“I’m going to fight Beterbiev.

“I’m probably most excited about Beterbiev.

Benavidez wants to fight Beterbiev. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Benavidez wants to fight Beterbiev. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“These are two monsters heading on a collision course.

“Beterbiev was a bogeyman for a long, long, long time.

“Being the monster I am, I have to go in there and get rid of the bogeyman.”

The post David Benavidez Eyeing Two Names After Zurdo Ramirez appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

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