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Four talking points from Moses Itauma vs. Jermaine Franklin launch press conference
British boxing in 2026 will kick off with a bang on January 24 when The Magnificent 7 returns in Manchester.
Broadcast exclusively live on DAZN, heavyweight knockout artist Moses Itauma will face durable American Jermaine Franklin in the main event where a win would set up a huge year with promoter Frank Warren backing Itauma to win a world title by the end of it.
This heavyweight clash is backed by a stellar cast of six undercard fights, and the build-up got underway on Monday with the launch press conference.
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DAZN News’ Matt Astbury was on location at the Co-op Live and had four takeaways from an entertaining press conference.
Moses Itauma and Jermaine Franklin keep it civil
Moses Itauma is one not to make a song and dance in the pre-fight build-up. He is composed and does not let his emotions get the better of him.
It was on show here with Jermaine Franklin’s calm demeanour throughout the day forming a respectful rivalry.
The main hope for Franklin is to give Itauma rounds, he has not gone past round two since July 2023, but for the 20-year-old Brit, the goal was simple.
“My goal is just to win,” Itauma told the assembled media.
After going the full 12-round distance with both Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua, Franklin has all the attributes to trouble one of boxing’s rapidly rising stars, and while he is showing plenty of respect now, come fight night, he will look to derail one of boxing’s most exciting stories.
Sparks fly between Willy Hutchinson and Ezra Taylor
The domestic light heavyweight dust-up between Willy Hutchinson and Ezra Taylor could steal the show.
Ever since the pair clashed ringside during Joshua Buatsi’s fight with Zach Parker earlier this month, tensions have been simmering, and Monday saw them go at it for the first time on the top table.
Hutchinson was loud, brash and confident, vowing to “knock him spark out” while Taylor replied with a threat of his own, “I’m going to batter you”.
The verbal sparring got more and more hilarious with Hutchinson revealing one of the motivations behind taking this fight was to buy milk for his unborn child.
The room was left in stitches and even had Itauma expressing his disappointment that he won’t be able to watch the contest.
An unexpectedly reserved face off closed this chapter on Hutchinson-Taylor, now the real work begins for what could be a Fight of the Night contender.
Emotional Nathan Heaney prepares for final year in boxing
Fan favourite Nathan Heaney is back on this card, taking on former British middleweight title challenger Gerome Warburton, but there was something odd about Heaney.
After confirming that 2026 will be his final year inside the ring, it sounded like emotions were getting the better of him. When speaking, he had a lump in this throat and he wasn’t his normal bubbly self.
“I’m going to give it everything I can,” Heaney said as he seeks to keep his dream of fighting at the home of his beloved Stoke City alive, but Warburton is ready to bring an early retirement.
Warburton was not afraid to criticise Heaney’s football fan following and took many verbal prods at the ‘Hitman’, maybe this could be just what’s needed to motivate Heaney to make one last push in the sweet science.
Aqib Fiaz ready to ‘knock out’ Jordan Flynn
Monday’s press conference kicked off with a bang as Aqib Fiaz and Jordan Flynn went at each other from the off.
From fat shaming to Flynn claiming that Fiaz’s opponents were ‘divers’, this contest is one full of bad blood.
When it came to making predictions, Fiaz’s was simple, “I’m going to knock him out” he said.
While Flynn was unable to offer a method of victory, he predicted that will be “a hard night’s work” for Fiaz.
It may not be a contest involving noteworthy names, but if Fiaz and Flynn can fight like they talk, then it should be a cracking lightweight matchup during an exciting night of big-time boxing.
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