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Around 16,000 fans packed into the Manchester arena bought into the Itauma buzz, greeting him with a warm roar as he was walked to the ring by British rapper Meekz.<\/p>\n
Itauma – the prodigy who was sparring seasoned professionals while still at school – was in wonderful form from the first bell, using his speed and variation to send Franklin backtracking.<\/p>\n
In truth, the knockout felt inevitable even when 32-year-old Franklin managed to recover from a third-round right hand that sent him crashing to the floor.<\/p>\n
Working behind a jab and picking his shots wisely, Itauma avoided anything reckless. “It’s a breakdown job,” trainer Ben Davison aptly told him between rounds.<\/p>\n
This was another night that thrilled and told us a little more about the rising heavyweight.<\/p>\n
Itauma’s devastating power is undeniable, once again on display as he dispatched a seasoned opponent inside the first half of the fight.<\/p>\n
But the bigger questions remain.<\/p>\n
His chin has yet to be properly tested. Franklin landed a right in the fourth, and Itauma just smiled, but he will face bigger punches in the future.<\/p>\n
And while the knockouts keep coming, he is still unproven beyond six rounds, with his engine and endurance untested at the highest level.<\/p>\n
Promoter Warren expects Itauma to fight for a world title this year.<\/p>\n
Within boxing circles, that talk may be slightly premature but Itauma is keeping pace with two-time world champion Anthony Joshua.<\/p>\n
At the same stage of his career, Joshua beat Gary Cornish to register a 14th stoppage and was selling out the O2 Arena. Itauma is on a similar trajectory, almost filling the Co-op Live Arena – and arguably facing higher-level opponents along the way.<\/p>\n
The key step-up for Joshua came in his 15th fight: a win over Dillian Whyte for the British title, which developed his resolve and enhanced his profile. <\/p>\n
By his 17th, he was world champion after defeating Charles Martin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n