“You’re not going to get the same respect everywhere,” Franklin told DAZN Boxing. “Don’t look for a judge. Don’t look for a judge. Be prepared to fight in any situation.”
This attitude influences how he views Saturday’s fight against Itauma. The 21-year-old is quickly gaining momentum and momentum in the fight, and Franklin understands what that usually means when the rounds are tight. It doesn’t talk about edges or interpretations. He talks about avoiding this situation completely.
“It’s going to be tough,” Franklin said of the possibility of winning the decision. “But I feel like if I can dominate in a great way, they won’t have a choice.”
This is a different goal because his goal is not to win rounds but to remove all doubts. Franklin was treated as an opponent rather than a target for much of his career. Even before this fight, most of the discussion focused on how many rounds he could give Itauma, not whether he could win. He says he’s used to it.
“I have been disrespected my entire career,” Franklin said. “Most of it is just words to me.”
He doesn’t try to correct the narrative, instead working around it, and his thinking also reflects how he sees his position in the division. Franklin believes he has already been close to the top once, and now he is trying to get back there instead of breaking through for the first time. A victory over Itauma would mean getting back to where he thinks he is already.
At 30 years vintage and after periods of inactivity, he sees himself as a rider with fewer kilometers ahead of him than most riders at the same stage. That’s part of why he took this fight against a younger opponent who is still building. He doesn’t expect anything to be given to him during the process.
Franklin’s interpretation of this situation is candid. If he lets the fight get close, he risks losing control when it comes to airy. This is the part I’m trying to remove.
Jermaine tries to avoid cards altogether, striving for an outcome that leaves no room for discussion.
Itauma (13-0, 11 KO) will face Franklin (24-2, 15 KO) in a 10-round fight this Saturday, March 28, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England. The event will be broadcast on the DAZN platform.
Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist covering this sport since 2014, providing reports from the ring and technical analyzes of the most critical fights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments and the details that shape high-level competition.