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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Moses Itauma and Jermaine Franklin go head to head as Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotions looks on during the Magnificent 7 Launch Press Conference at Co-op Live on November 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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HIGHLIGHTS
- A 20-year-old heavyweight with 11 knockouts in 13 fights faces the toughest durability test of his career against a fighter who has never been stopped.
- The main event ring walk time falls in the afternoon for U.S. viewers, making this an accessible Saturday watch on DAZN.
- The card was originally scheduled for January but was postponed after the headliner suffered a training camp injury.
Moses Itauma's meteoric rise up the heavyweight rankings continues on Saturday in Manchester, England when he takes on veteran American heavyweight, Jermaine Franklin. Itauma is a perfect 13-0 in his career with 11 KOs. He is still just 20 years old and seemingly destined to be in the world-title picture for more than a decade.
Franklin could be the final impediment in Itauma's way before he challenges for a world title. Can Franklin not only provide some resistance against Itauma's rise, but also pull of a stunning upset. Let's get into it.
- Event: Moses Itauma vs. Jermaine Franklin Jr. (The Magnificent 7)
- Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
- Venue: Co-op Live, Manchester, England (23,500 capacity)
- Card Start: 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT / 5:00 PM GMT
- Main Event Ring Walks (Est.): 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT / 10:00 PM GMT
- Broadcast: DAZN (worldwide, subscription required)
- Promoter: Queensberry Promotions (Frank Warren)
- Rounds: 12 at heavyweight
Why Was This Fight Postponed?
Itauma and Franklin were originally set to collide on January 24 at the same venue. Queensberry Promotions confirmed Itauma sustained an injury in training camp, and the entire Magnificent 7 card was pushed to March 28.
Injuries limited Itauma to just two fights in 2025, though both ended in trademark KO fashion. Without question, Itauma is the most sensational KO young KO artist the sport has seen since Mike Tyson rose to prominence in the late 1980s.
What Makes Moses Itauma So Dangerous?
The efficiency numbers are staggering.
Itauma has fought just 26 total rounds across 13 professional fights, averaging two rounds per bout. None of his last nine fights have gone past the second round. His August destruction of Dillian Whyte in 1:59 of round one in Riyadh was the signature win so far. He holds the WBA International, WBO Intercontinental, and Commonwealth heavyweight titles.
The Ring named him 2024 Prospect of the Year, and he arrived as a pro with an unbeaten amateur record (24-0) that included Youth European and Youth World Championship gold.
Can Franklin Survive and Upset?
Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs) has never been stopped in 26 professional fights. That durability is the headline. His only two losses came on points in the UK against Whyte (majority decision, November 2022) and Anthony Joshua (unanimous decision, 118-111, 117-111, 117-111 in April 2023).
The 32-year-old from Saginaw, Michigan arrives on three straight wins, including a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Ivan Dychko at Allegiant Stadium in September 2025. Promoter Frank Warren told ESPN this could be Itauma's "toughest fight" because of Franklin's self-belief and the fact that Joshua, one of the hardest-punching heavyweights in the sport, could not stop him.
What Else Is on the Card?
The chief support is a domestic light heavyweight clash between Willy Hutchinson (19-2, 14 KOs) and unbeaten Ezra Taylor (13-0, 9 KOs). Brad Pauls, Zak Miller, Gerome Warbuton, Josh Holmes, and Jordan Flynn fill out the Magnificent 7 undercard on DAZN.
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