MANCHESTER, England — A new heavyweight star is emerging, and one of boxing’s most influential promoters believes the moment for a blockbuster clash may already be here.
Following Moses Itauma’s dominant fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin at Co-op Live Arena, veteran promoter Frank Warren suggested that a fight between Itauma and unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk could quickly become one of the biggest events in the sport.
Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs), just 21 years old, passed what was widely viewed as the toughest test of his young career. Headlining in the United Kingdom for the first time, the rising heavyweight controlled the action from the opening bell before stopping Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round. The performance further cemented his reputation as one of the most dangerous prospects in boxing.
Usyk’s Current Path
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) remains at the top of the heavyweight division, holding multiple world titles and The Ring championship. The 39-year-old is preparing for a high-profile bout against Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt, staged near the Great Pyramids of Giza. However, beyond that event, Usyk faces a growing list of contenders awaiting title opportunities.
Despite Itauma’s rise, Usyk has previously indicated reluctance to face the young contender at this stage, suggesting he does not want to “break” a fighter still early in his development.
Warren Sees Massive Opportunity
Promoter Frank Warren sees things differently. After watching Itauma’s latest performance, Warren emphasized the commercial and sporting appeal of a potential matchup with Usyk.
He believes a fight between the two could sell out Wembley Stadium multiple times over and generate massive pay-per-view numbers, positioning it as one of the biggest fights available in the heavyweight division today.
Itauma Closing In on a Title Shot
Itauma’s rapid ascent is reflected in his rankings:
- No. 1 (WBA)
- No. 3 (WBC)
- No. 11 (IBF)
- No. 7 (The Ring)
With momentum building and his profile growing, he is quickly moving toward mandatory contender status.
A Generational Showdown
A potential clash between Usyk and Itauma represents more than just a title fight it’s a classic generational matchup.
- Usyk: An all-time great nearing the final stage of his career
- Itauma: A young, explosive contender viewed as a future champion
While Oleksandr Usyk still has immediate business to attend to, Moses Itauma’s rise is becoming impossible to ignore.
If his trajectory continues and if the timing aligns a showdown between the reigning champion and the division’ fastest-rising contender could soon become one of boxing’s defining events.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
