Heavyweight Breakdown by John Lepak
Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin
March 28 – Manchester
Fighter Profiles
Moses Itauma
Record: 13-0 (11 KO)
Age: 21
- One of the most hyped heavyweight prospects in the world.
- Stopped 11 of 13 opponents, most early.
- Knocked out Dillian Whyte in the first round in 2025.
- Southpaw with elite speed for a heavyweight.
Lepak's Look
Technically he checks the boxes:
- Southpaw power
- Fast feet
- Combination punching
- Finishing instincts
The big thing: he punches in sequence, not single shots. Heavyweights usually load up, but Itauma throws 3–5 punch combinations like a cruiserweight. But there are questions that we need to see answered. He has only 26 total rounds in 13 fights. We have not seen him fight tired or how he would respond when he gets in trouble. Like Emanuel Steward often would say, “A fighter isn’t proven until something goes wrong.” So far, nothing has gone wrong yet.
Jermaine Franklin
Record: 24-2 (15 KO)
Age: 32
Losses:
- Anthony Joshua (decision)
- Dillian Whyte (decision)
Important detail:
Nobody has stopped him.
He went 12 rounds with both Joshua and Whyte.
Lepak's Look
Is Franklin being built to what is called a "professional opponent." in boxing matchmaking terms? That’s not an insult to anyone that knows boxing. Franklin is tough, he's durable, he's experienced and he knows how to survive. But he has shown he fights to survive sometimes… not always to win. Against Joshua he stayed cautious. Against Whyte he fought better but still didn’t take control. He’s got decent hand speed and defense and counter ability, but I feel he lacks elite power and killer instinct.
Stylistic Matchup
Speed
Advantage: Itauma
Franklin is solid but not explosive. Itauma has unusual heavyweight speed.
Power
Advantage: Itauma
Franklin’s power is respectable but not fight-changing.
Itauma’s left hand is dangerous early.
Durability
Advantage: Franklin
Never stopped. Took punches from Joshua.
That matters.
Experience
Advantage: Franklin
Big fight experience:
- Joshua
- Whyte
- Top contender rounds
Itauma hasn’t faced that level of veteran IQ yet.
Tactical Keys
How Itauma Wins
- Fast start
- Attack body early
- Force Franklin to trade
Franklin struggles when pressured by speed and volume.
If Itauma lands combinations early, the fight could get away from Franklin.
How Franklin Wins
You gotta take the kid somewhere he’s never been!
Franklin’s only chance:
- Survive early rounds
- Make it ugly
- Clinch
- Push pace
- Take him past round 6
Young heavyweights often fade once the knockout doesn’t come.
If Franklin drags him deep, things get interesting.
Psychological Factor
Itauma is the young lion.
Franklin is the gatekeeper veteran.
This fight it appears was designed to test Itauma’s maturity, because Franklin is known for durability and experience. Strategic matchmaking.
Lepak's Prediction
Franklin is tough, but he’s the kind of opponent a great young heavyweight shines against. Itauma has all the early signs of being someone special. He has faster hands, more explosive on offense and Franklin does not have the fire power to keep him off when the fire gets hot. I think Franklin survives early, but the punches and pressure start adding up. I see Itauma breaking him down eventually and wins by TKO between 5-7 rounds.
Special thank you KRONK AI partner Helios Core for providing key statistics and data used in this prediction.