Itauma vs Franklin Headlines Manchester Heavyweight Card

Unbeaten British heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma will face American veteran Jermaine Franklin in a main event bout on January 24, 2026, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, promoter Frank Warren announced this week.

The 20-year-old Itauma, who holds a perfect 13-0 record with 11 knockouts, returns after a five-month layoff following his first-round stoppage of former title challenger Dillian Whyte in August 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. That victory solidified Itauma's status as a top contender in the division, with many viewing him as a future star due to his southpaw speed, power, and composure. Franklin, 32, enters with a 24-2 record and 15 knockouts, riding a three-fight winning streak against modest opposition. His losses came by decision to Whyte in November 2022 and to Anthony Joshua in April 2023, both in the United Kingdom, where he went the full distance without being stopped.

The matchup headlines Warren's Magnificent Seven card, marking the promoter's 45th year in the sport. Warren praised the event as a fitting celebration, stating, "This card certainly does justice to the occasion, and I am very happy to have our heavyweight prodigy Moses topping the...