The Future Is Now: Itauma v Franklin Preview and Prediction

Moses Itauma (1.05) v Jermaine Franklin (10.00) (Heavyweight)

Sunday, 29 March 0:00 AM SA time

Once in a generation, a prodigious talent comes along and takes over. Itauma, by all indications, is that guy.

A boxing blue chipper, the 21-year-old from Chatham is a perfect 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Nothing illustrates just how impressive Itauma is and how highly he’s rated better than the fact that reigning unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk, is unwilling to fight him.

The undefeated Ukrainian, himself, believes Itauma is “the future for boxing,” and that the rising star looks “ready” for him in terms of skill, but has shut down talks of fighting him, saying, “With Itauma? I won’t fight him. He’s young.”

If he had received a title shot early last year, Itauma would’ve had an opportunity to break the legendary Mike Tyson’s long-standing record as the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Gold is the goal, but his camp – smartly – isn’t rushing things.

As much as natural ability and a singular focus on the sweet science are huge, experience is another key ingredient for success. Itauma’s last fight, against former title challenger Dillian Whyte in August, served as a significant step up in competition for the young gun, and he passed the test with flying colours, overwhelming Whyte with a brutal blitz to stop him in just 119 seconds.

Fast finishes are great, and it’s been the hallmark of the streamlined southpaw’s rapid rise up the rankings. For a pure predator like Itauma, who hasn’t been beyond the second round in almost three years and has completed just one round in the past 20 months, it does present an issue in terms of getting rounds under his belt, and that’s where Franklin comes in.

An 11-year pro, Franklin is a savvy veteran who’s mixed it up with some of the best. His record stands at 24-2 with 15 knockouts, with his only setbacks coming in the United Kingdom against Whyte and former two-time unified champion, Anthony Joshua.

Yes, his experience, solid skills and power make him a suitable challenge for Itauma, but the main reason why the American has been selected as the Brit’s next opponent is that he has an iron jaw. The 32-year-old has never been knocked out, and he doesn’t plan on starting now.

On a three-fight win streak, “989 Assassin” is well aware of why he got the call to fight Itauma, and that he’s being written off. He feels disrespected and is determined to shock the world and snatch Itauma’s No. 1 ranking with the WBA and WBO.

As fired up as Franklin is, and as unbreakable as his chin has been, there’s only so much a man can take. What makes Itauma such a nightmare is his speed and ruthlessness. He’s freakishly fast for a heavyweight and doesn’t give an opponent a second to breathe.

It’s that relentless pressure and combination striking that’ll wear Franklin down and see Itauma become the first man to stop him at around the midway point of the 10-round fight.

Prediction: Itauma by knockout.

Best Bet: Under 6.5 rounds at 1.72.

Alternative Bet: Itauma by knockout at 1.33.