MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Moses Itauma delivered another devastating knockout by sending Jermaine Franklin Jr. to the canvas with a powerful uppercut in the fifth round of their heavyweight fight on Saturday.
Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs), who could soon be in line for a world title shot, staggered Franklin in the center of the ring and the referee waved the fight off as the American fell face first.
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Franklin, who went the distance with former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua three years ago, had been billed as Itauma’s toughest test yet.
The 21-year-old British southpaw had been dispatching opponents early — none of his previous nine opponents had made it through two rounds.
Franklin (24-3, 15 KOs) was knocked down in the third and ultimately made it to midway through the fifth at Co-op Live Arena. After the uppercut, Itauma threw one final right that seemed to graze the falling Franklin.
Itauma turned pro three years ago in a debut KO victory that lasted just 23 seconds.
The 32-year-old Franklin, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, had won his previous three bouts since his loss to Joshua in April 2023.
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AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing