Itauma Stops Franklin Cold - What Next For Rising Heavyweight?

Around 16,000 fans packed into nan Manchester arena bought into nan Itauma buzz, greeting him pinch a lukewarm roar arsenic he was walked to nan ringing by British rapper Meekz.

Itauma - nan prodigy who was sparring seasoned professionals while still astatine schoolhouse - was successful awesome shape from nan first bell, utilizing his velocity and variety to nonstop Franklin backtracking.

In truth, nan knockout felt inevitable moreover erstwhile 32-year-old Franklin managed to retrieve from a third-round correct manus that sent him crashing to nan floor.

Working down a jab and picking his shots wisely, Itauma avoided thing reckless. "It's a breakdown job," trainer Ben Davison aptly told him betwixt rounds.

This was different nighttime that thrilled and told america a small much astir nan rising heavyweight.

Itauma's devastating powerfulness is undeniable, erstwhile again connected show arsenic he dispatched a seasoned force wrong nan first half of nan fight.

But nan bigger questions remain.

His chin has yet to beryllium decently tested. Franklin landed a correct successful nan fourth, and Itauma conscionable smiled, but he will look bigger punches successful nan future.

And while nan knockouts support coming, he is still unproven beyond six rounds, pinch his motor and endurance untested astatine nan highest level.

Promoter Warren expects Itauma to conflict for a world title this year.

Within boxing circles, that talk whitethorn beryllium somewhat premature but Itauma is keeping gait pinch two-time world champion Anthony Joshua.

At nan aforesaid shape of his career, Joshua hit Gary Cornish to registry a 14th stoppage and was trading retired nan O2 Arena. Itauma is connected a akin trajectory, almost filling nan Co-op Live Arena - and arguably facing higher-level opponents on nan way.

The cardinal step-up for Joshua came successful his 15th fight: a triumph complete Dillian Whyte for nan British title, which developed his resoluteness and enhanced his profile.

By his 17th, he was world champion aft defeating Charles Martin.