Moses Itauma's highly anticipated heavyweight showdown with Jermaine Franklin has been rescheduled for March 28 after itauma suffered an injury in training, forcing the postponement of their bout that was initially set to take place on January 24 at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena.
The 20-year-old Itauma had been looking forward to this fight against his compatriot and former Anthony Joshua foe Franklin, who has taken Whyte and Joshua the distance in 2022 and 2023 respectively. However, itauma's injury, which is yet to be specified by his camp or medical team, has led to a delay in the fight.
In a brief statement on social media, Itauma's promoter Queensberry Promotions revealed that itauma was forced to pull out of the bout due to an injury sustained during training. The fight has since been rescheduled for March 28 at the same venue where the original bout was set to take place.
It remains to be seen whether itauma will still be able to make the new date, and his team's decision on this matter is expected to be made shortly. In the meantime, Queensberry Promotions has also ordered itauma to face fellow Brit Lawrence Okolie in a WBC final eliminator, adding another test for the 20-year-old prospect.
Interestingly, itauma's trainer Ben Davison had previously expressed interest in a fight with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, calling it a "win-win". While there has been no confirmation on whether this fight will materialize, Davison's comments suggest that itauma is willing to step up and face the best opponents available.
The 20-year-old Itauma had been looking forward to this fight against his compatriot and former Anthony Joshua foe Franklin, who has taken Whyte and Joshua the distance in 2022 and 2023 respectively. However, itauma's injury, which is yet to be specified by his camp or medical team, has led to a delay in the fight.
In a brief statement on social media, Itauma's promoter Queensberry Promotions revealed that itauma was forced to pull out of the bout due to an injury sustained during training. The fight has since been rescheduled for March 28 at the same venue where the original bout was set to take place.
It remains to be seen whether itauma will still be able to make the new date, and his team's decision on this matter is expected to be made shortly. In the meantime, Queensberry Promotions has also ordered itauma to face fellow Brit Lawrence Okolie in a WBC final eliminator, adding another test for the 20-year-old prospect.
Interestingly, itauma's trainer Ben Davison had previously expressed interest in a fight with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, calling it a "win-win". While there has been no confirmation on whether this fight will materialize, Davison's comments suggest that itauma is willing to step up and face the best opponents available.
. I mean, I get it, safety first and all that, but it's like, come on! The hype was building for Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin, and now it's just gonna get pushed back to March 28... who knows if it'll even happen 
. And what's up with the WBC final eliminator against Lawrence Okolie? I guess that's a good opportunity for Itauma to prove himself in another big fight 
. But you know, at this point, I'm just excited for the possibility of Itauma facing Oleksandr Usyk... that's a battle worth watching 
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so this is crazy, Moses Itauma was all hyped for this fight against Jermaine Franklin but now he's out due to an injury 
. And, yeah, Lawrence Okolie is a great test for him too - that'll be a good fight regardless of what happens with Franklin. 
And omg, Ben Davison saying he wants a fight with Oleksandr Usyk is a whole new level of cool 
This injury setback for Moses Itauma is a bummer 
. And hey, a WBC final eliminator fight against Lawrence Okolie doesn't look so bad either 
. Could be an opportunity for Itauma to gain some valuable experience and build up his skills 
. Like, who needs a strict training schedule anyway? Itauma can just chill for a bit and come back stronger, right? 
. I'm all about taking risks and stepping up in the ring. If itauma is willing to go for the win, why not? 
march 28 now instead of january 24 
so i wonder if he'll be able to make it after his injury 
anyways, gotta feel for the guy, been training hard and all that 
. And who knows, maybe itauma will still be able to pull off this new bout 
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what kind of injury tho? should've been better prepared 
march 28 is still ages away 
cant wait for the new date though! but idk if itauma will even make it 
i need sources or something... also, what's up with the new opponent itauma's getting? okolie? isnt he like 5 years older than itauma? 
... or maybe he was just feeling a little under-the-weather 
. Anyway, can't say I blame the guy for wanting to take on Oleksandr Usyk next tho... I mean, that'd be a solid win for itauma's team 
... but let's not get ahead of ourselves here 
.
️. I think this rescheduled date on March 28th will be good for him, he'll have time to heal and come back stronger 
...