Itauma Stopped Franklin With a Fifth-Round Uppercut
Moses Itauma stopped Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round on March 28, 2026, at Co-op Live in Manchester. The heavyweight bout ended after Itauma’s uppercut dropped Franklin and prompted the referee to stop the contest.
Itauma controlled the contest
Franklin brought experience from previous fights against leading heavyweights, but Itauma’s speed and accuracy made the difference. The younger boxer landed clean punches throughout the bout and built a clear advantage.
Itauma dropped Franklin in the fifth round with a left uppercut. Franklin rose, but the referee judged that he had taken enough damage and waved the fight off before the action could continue.
The official result was a fifth-round knockout. Itauma added another stoppage to his record and remained unbeaten.
A significant step up
The fight was a step up in opposition for Itauma, who had been moving quickly through the heavyweight ranks. Franklin had previously gone the distance with elite-level opponents, making the stoppage a notable marker for the British prospect.
The event took place in Manchester at Co-op Live. Itauma had said he wanted rounds, but the finish came before the scheduled distance was reached.
The Ring and Associated Press coverage confirm the date, venue and fifth-round uppercut. Neither source describes the result as a points decision.
