Itauma looks set to challenge for a world heavyweight title this year

Moses Itauma looks set to press for a world title shot before the end of 2026; First he must defeat strong American contender Jermaine Franklin when they fight in March; "If he comes through how I hope he'll come through then I think he'll be there ready to go," said promoter Frank Warren

Sports Journalist @johndennen

Thursday 12 March 2026 22:41, UK

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Moses Itauma looks set to fight for a heavyweight world championship in 2026.

The 21-year-old Briton is only 13 fights into his professional career but has already put the division on notice.

His promoter Frank Warren has Itauma earmarked for a world title shot this year, but it will depend on how he performs in his next fight against Jermaine Franklin.

Itauma will fight tough American contender Franklin on March 28 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

The rising star wants to fight for a heavyweight championship in 2026. "He's ranked No 1 by two of the governing bodies and he wants to fight for a world title. He's made that very clear to me," Warren told Sky Sports.

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Itauma has been moving fast, in his performances in the ring - his two of fights of 2025 only took him three rounds - and in his matchmaking. He dispatched former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in his last fight in August in less than two minutes.

Franklin though is a seasoned operator himself and he's never been stopped before. In his last fight, in September, he beat Olympic bronze medallist Ivan Dychko.

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"It's a tough fight," Warren said. "[Franklin's] only lost two fights, a debatable, according to some people, loss to Dillian Whyte and that was four years ago. The same as the fight against AJ and AJ, three years ago, he was a really good fighter and he could bang and he couldn't put him away."

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But he added: "We believe in him [Itauma]. It is a tough fight. He's going to have to be at his best but he's very confident. As is Franklin as well, he's very confident."

Another powerful showing against Franklin should propel Itauma towards that world title shot.

"It's very important to see how he comes through, what he looks like. Because he only had two fights last year. He's got to get the cobwebs out of his system," Warren said.

He does though expect Itauma to fight for a world title this year. "I would think so. I will sit down with him, his team," the promoter said.

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Already Itauma is the No 1 ranked contender at heavyweight with both the WBA and the WBO, as well as being No 3 with the WBC.

"We'll all sit and look at it and make a decision," Warren said. "Me, if he comes through this fight and he comes through how I hope he'll come through then I think he'll be there ready to go."

Itauma previously told Sky Sports News: "Let me tell you something, the past and the future don't exist, it's only the present and in the present I've got Jermaine Franklin.

"Jermaine Franklin's going to be a good fight, I'm looking forward to it."

He does however consider himself one of the world's best heavyweights. "I feel like I am," he said. "I just have to prove it."

Watch the Dubois-Harper and Scotney-Flores bill live on Sky Sports on Sunday April 5.