Moses Itauma fights Jermaine Franklin this weekend and a prediction has come in from a man who has shared the ring with both men.
This fight was originally scheduled for January but an injury to Itauma has delayed it until now. Itauma will be looking to keep up his fine recent record, which has seen him knock out 11 of his 13 opponents so far, nine of them inside the first two rounds, including a first-round destruction of Dillain Whyte last time out.
Franklin has shown he is a tough competitor on two previous visits to the UK when both fights went the distance – firstly, he took Whyte all 12 rounds, and then did the same to former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua.
Speaking to Seconds Out, unbeaten contender John Hedges spoke about what he has learnt from sparring both men and what that means for the fight.
“All depends on the mindset from the first second that bell goes. If Jermaine allows himself to be backed up, he’s aware of it, then Moses can take him out. However, if Jermaine remains switched on, which he’s capable of, he’s proved it at a high level; he’s a durable fighter.
“The man’s tough. He’s definitely tough. I’ve hit him with some shots and he ain’t showing them so it all depends on the first second that bell goes. If Jermaine allows himself to be backed up, then it’s a Moses fight. If they meet in the middle and they have a face-off, then we’ll see.”
