Image source, Queensberry

Thanks for joining us as we got another insight into the hugely impressive ability of British heavyweight Moses Itauma.

Tonight was supposed to be a test against an opponent who had never been stopped, but Itauma made pretty light work of Jermaine Franklin.

Another stunning knockout added to the highlight reel and further hype surrounding what might be to come over the next 12 months or so.

Itauma is only 21 years old but surely a world title opportunity isn't too far down the path?

Three-weight world champion Devin Haney on X: "Moses is the next guy."

Promoter Frank Warren talking to BBC Radio 5 Live after Itauma's stoppage win over Franklin: "Franklin has never been stopped, and Itauma broke him down. Moses stuck to his task, he has very fast hands a good footwork.

"The shots were phenomenal. No one can take those shots, if he catches you then you're in trouble.

"He caught him with two shots, knocks him out and then caught him again. The corner screaming, they're nuts. He went face down.

"There's a few fights on at the moment, and we will see. It won't be a problem for us, we're in the business of delivering big fights for our fighters. He'll get a shot at the world title.

"Guys who have power, the crowds love it. That's what they come for."

Image source, Queensberry

British heavyweight Dave Allen, speaking to DAZN: "He's a superstar already. I had question marks over him but he's gone a long way to answer them.

"He's not answered all my questions but the only way they get answered is [Oleksandr] Usyk, [Daniel] Dubois or [Fabio] Wardley and that's it.

"His speed is terrifying. I was watching him from 10 foot away and was like, wow."

Moses Itauma speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm grateful. It's something that I've wanted to tick off for a long time, how will Moses do against someone that's durable, who took Anthony Joshua's best shots, Dillian Whyte's best shots. Still young, 32, just came off a win, I'm 21! It's going to be a good journey.

"I won't lie, the first two rounds I thought it would go the distance. Then in the fifth round when I caught with him the uppercut, I thought 'did I really do that?'

"I've been preparing for nearly 14 weeks now, I've got to work so hard for performances like that. I'm enjoying that.

"I'd love to fight [Oleksandr] Usyk, but he's doing his thing. There's a pecking order I need to respect, so I'll sit and wait my turn."

Queensberry promoter Frank Warren speaking to DAZN after Itauma beats Franklin: "Probably in July [his next fight]. He's number one in WBO, WBA [rankings]. There's a lot of fights over the next few months, we will sort something out.

"Don't worry, it'll be a big fight because he's a big fighter. So exciting, fought a very tough guy. Did what nobody else was able to do, stop him.

"Usyk is fighting in Egypt in June, after that fight he will be ordered to defend his WBC title. If he doesn't do that, he'll be stripped. The next organisation will order him to defend, he has to defend his mandatories that's why they're there.

"I'm pretty confident he will fight for a world title this year."

The punditry team on DAZN have just said that one of Jermaine Franklin's coaches complained to referee Steve Gray for stopping the fight too early.

The bout was waved off before the referee even attempted a 10-count, but Franklin didn't get back to his feet for around 20 seconds.

I think you'll struggle to find anyone apart from that corner man disputing the call.

Image source, Queensberry

Moses Itauma speaking to DAZN after his win: "If I'm completely honest with you I wanted the [Filip] Hrgovic fight, but he's boxing Dave Allen.

"We will go back to the drawing board and see who's there. Who's available? I'll be back out soon."

Jermaine Franklin faced Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua in 2022 and 2023 respectively and, although he lost both fights, managed to go the distance with the British duo.

Moses Itauma is the only person to stop Franklin and did it in devastating fashion to earn his 14th career win.

So, let's put Itauma's win tonight into a little bit of context. Where was Joshua after 14 victories as a professional?

Joshua headlined the O2 Arena in London and had won all 14 fights by knockout - Itauma has the same number of wins but has gone the distance twice.

AJ announced himself to the masses in his 15th bout with a knockout victory over Whyte and won a world title in his 16th trip to the ring.

Moses Itauma speaking to DAZN after his stoppage win over Jermaine Franklin: "Thank you very much to the great Mancester crowd, I've had a lovely time.

"I'm happy to get the win. I've enjoyed my stay in Manchester, this is actually where I won my first national title. We come here seven years later, I'm picking up a win over Franklin.

"I've got to thank Franklin for giving me this opportunity, it takes two to tango. I appreciate it.

"I don't know what to say, the lord is good. I tried to knock him out in the first or second round, but maybe not today. So I went back to the basics, and the knockout just came.

"When I first turned professional, I thought I would win titles but I didn't think it would be so soon. I'm just a young boy chasing a dream."

Boxing coach Dave Coldwell on X: "The kid is special. You can say we shouldn’t go extra on the hype train, but if you can’t get excited about a talent like Moses Itauma, then what can we get excited about?"

Former light-middleweight world champion Liam Smith on X: "Some fighter this kid. Putting it out there, I think he beats Usyk."

Moses Itauma points to his temple and then out to the crowd as his arm is raised to confirm the victory.

We saw a little more from Itauma in that fight than we have in his previous 13 contests. He wasn't taken into deep waters but he showed a few different gears and displayed an awareness of when to put his foot down and when to step back.

That's 14 wins as a professional with 12 of them coming inside the distance.

We'll hear from him in just a moment.

Image source, Queensberry

Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

That was the first real test for Itauma. Franklin was not past it, he was dangerous still. His two defeats were on points, he was never hurt. Franklin has been blown away this evening.

That was a stunning and sickening finish.

Franklin never saw that uppercut coming. It's straight from the hip of Itauma who manages the space perfectly.

The American was out on his feet but Itauma landed another shot with his right to send him tumbling down.

Image source, Getty Images

It's waved off.

Itauma wins by knockout.

Wow!

The first time Franklin has ever been stopped as a professional.

Another one for the Itauma highlight reel.