Dave Allen sees something in Jermaine Franklin that could make his fight with Moses Itauma a tough night.
Itauma is one of the hottest prospects in world boxing. He has fought 13 times and won 11 of those by way of knockout, with nine of them all inside the first two rounds. The two fights that went the distance were six rounders.
In the new year, the 20-year-old faces American Franklin, who has fought both Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte and taken both men the 12-round distance.
Speaking on his own YouTube channel, fellow heavyweight hopeful Allen predicted a tough night for Itauma and his first 12-round points win.
“As far as top-level heavyweight boxing goes, Franklin isn’t a puncher but he’s super, super tough, and more than that, super clever, really good fighter. His last fight I watched it, I thought he got beat, terrible shape, he looked terrible. If we get that Franklin, I think he’ll get stopped. I think Itauma would do something Joshua and Whyte couldn’t do, I think he’d stop him.
“However, it is close to Christmas, so it’s a big if, but if we get an in shape Franklin, I think we’ll get a lot of questions answered. We’ll definitely see if Itauma can go the rounds, definitely. Franklin is like me but a lot better and tougher I think. He’s a bit of a survivor, tough, a spoiler, not a puncher, but he’s the very best at it.
“I think Itauma will beat him on points, I think Franklin will take him the distance. I think they will respect Franklin. I think Franklin will come in shape but I think Itauma will beat him on points. I think it’s a f***ing brilliant fight. But if Itauma does blow him away, then wow. Then we really do have to put him in the conversation for being ready for a Ruiz or a Bakole or whoever.”
The fight takes place in Manchester on January 24, and a win for the British youngster would be another big step towards a world title, whether that’s against Oleksandr Usyk or an eliminator with Fabio Wardley later in 2026.
