Very few heavyweights have pursued a showdown with Moses Itauma, and for good reason, yet one former world champion has revealed that he \u2018really wanted\u2019 to face the rising star.<\/p>\n
Many have already anointed Itauma as heir to Oleksandr Usyk\u2019s throne, while others are perhaps more hesitant to make such claims at this early stage.<\/p>\n
Either way, there is no denying the 21-year-old\u2019s talent and world-class potential as he approaches his career-toughest assignment, thus far, against Jermaine Franklin.<\/p>\n
The pair will square off in a rescheduled 10-round contest on March 28<\/a>, headlining a Queensberry Promotions card at Manchester\u2019s Co-op Live Arena.<\/p>\n But while Franklin represents a solid opponent, it seems that Itauma\u2019s handlers have largely struggled to match him with any credible heavyweights, often because they would sooner outprice themselves than take on the hard-hitting prodigy.<\/p>\n One man who refuses to be associated with such individuals, however, is Charles Martin, who lost his IBF title via a second-round finish against Anthony Joshua in 2016<\/a>.<\/p>\n Since then, the American has suffered further defeats to Adam Kownacki, Luis Ortiz and Jared Anderson, while often giving a strong account of himself.<\/p>\n Now gearing up for his first outing since November 2024, the 39-year-old will headline a Zuffa Boxing show \u2013 promoted by UFC boss Dana White \u2013 against world-ranked contender Efe Ajagba this Sunday.<\/p>\n