Itauma Crushes Franklin in Manchester; WBO Pushes for Title Shot.

Itauma Knocks Out Franklin

According to Novyny.live: At Manchester's Co-op Live Arena on March 28, 2026, Moses Itauma delivered a stunning fifth-round knockout victory over Jermaine Franklin. This win puts him on the verge of a potential title fight, having dominated nearly every aspect of the bout.

Itauma landed 87 of 275 total punches, while Franklin connected on only 26 of 144. The gap was even wider in power punches, where Itauma landed 64 compared to just 10 for Franklin. He also won the jab battle with 23 connects versus Franklin's 16. This level of dominance highlights why the heavyweight division is taking notice.

Fallout from the Victory

Following the fight, WBO President Gustavo Olivieri announced plans to recommend Itauma as the mandatory challenger for the organization's title. The WBO belt is currently held by Fabio Wardley, setting up a potentially explosive matchup in the near future.

The reaction to Itauma's performance was immediate and enthusiastic. Ring Magazine described the knockout as

'a work of art'

'absolutely incredible from Moses Itauma'

With the WBO president's backing and growing buzz from the boxing community, Itauma now has a clear path to a championship opportunity. All eyes will be on a potential showdown with Wardley, a fight that could define the next chapter of Itauma's career.