Frank Warren eyes 'right moves' for star talent as latest acid test lines up world title opportunities

Moses Itauma can fight for a world title in 2026 if he defeats Jermaine Franklin, though Frank Warren warns his career "is a marathon" rather than a sprint.

The Briton dispatched Dillian Whyte inside one round in August, and now moves onto the highly rated American as he seeks to find his next prized scalp.

Setting opponents has been difficult for Queensberry Promotions boss Warren, given both the hype placed on his talented star and the results he delivers.

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But in Franklin, the veteran promoter feels he has found an opponent who can offer a suitable litmus test, and tips him to challenge for top prizes next year.

"We've got to make the right moves at the right time," he told The Ring. "This fight, I think, is a fight where we're going to gauge where he's at.

"He's only had three competitive rounds this year. It's not a pissing contest or a 100-metre dash, it's a marathon. He's had no senior amateur bouts.

"There is a lot of pressure [that] has been put on him. Some of that [is] himself because he said he wanted to win the world title as the youngest guy ever.

"He’s 21 [in] December and he still has ambitions to be the youngest Brit to ever win a world title. If he comes through this fight he'll fight for a world title next year."

Latest litmus challenge paves the way to new riches for Itauma

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

They said the acid test would be Dillian Whyte, that the man who went toe-to-toe with Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker would see Moses Itauma finally found out.

Instead, the rising star dispatched a man nearly old enough to be his father inside one shockingly ruthless round, to truly put his own stock towards the stratosphere.

Itauma's credentials as a genuine champion-in-waiting have never appeared stronger, but the one thing this knockout artist arguably lacks is distance experience.

Franklin seems well-matched to change that. His lone losses came against Whyte and Joshua, where he went the distance with both, showcasing an impressive chin.

But few seem to think this will be anything other than another stop on the Itauma train headed for its world title destination - and victory here will crank up the speed.

With Oleksandr Usyk surrendering the WBO crown to Fabio Wardley, the 20-year-old is now the leading challenger for his belt. A summertime dance could be on the cards.

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