Itauma vs Franklin Predictions: Big-hitting Brit can end this one early

Perhaps the most exciting name in heavyweight boxing returns on Saturday night (DAZN) as the undefeated and brutal Moses Itauma takes on potentially his toughest test to date in American, Jermaine Franklin. The bout headlines the Magnificent 7 card at the Co-op Arena in Manchester. 

Keep reading for my Itauma vs Franklin predictions and full card listings.

My colleague and our star boxing writer Joey Mills is away this week, so I am stepping into his well-worn shoes. There is a strong rumour Mr. Mills will be at ringside though on Saturday night, so keep your eyes peeled for a live reaction piece following the Magnificent 7 card!

Itauma vs Franklin Odds

As you might expect, Itauma is a huge 1/25 favourite to win again here and keep his perfect record. The mother of all shocks is priced at 11/1 for a Franklin victory, with the draw all the way out at 22/1.

When is Itauma vs Franklin?

Moses Itauma takes on Jermaine Franklin Jr. on Saturday, March 28.

Where is Itauma vs Franklin being held?

The heavyweight contest is being held at the 23,500 capacity Co-op Arena in Manchester, England.

Where can I watch Itauma vs Franklin in the UK?

The fight is being shown exclusively on DAZN in the UK.

An Annual Super Saver subscription is a one-off payment of £119.99 for 12-month access (£14.99 if paying in monthly instalments).

A Monthly Flexible pass, which can be cancelled at any time, is also offered at £24.99 per month.

What time is the Itauma vs Franklin ringwalk?

The fight card is expected to begin at 5pm, with the main event Itauma vs Franklin ringwalk beginning at around 11pm UK time.

Itauma to win by KO/TKO/DQ/Tech Decision @ 4/11

It doesn't take a genius to predict this one the way I am inevitably going to.

The heavyweight prodigy that is Moses Itauma (13-0-0 (11ko)) has been like a human wrecking-ball since his professional debut a little over three years ago, dispatching all and sundry that has been put in front of him, including a couple of 'made-men' in the division in Mariusz Wach and Dillian Whyte.

His one minute and one second demolition of 'The Body Snatcher' in Riyahd last August was particularly impressive, and there hasn't been hype around a heavyweight prospect like this since the early days of Anthony Joshua.

As Itauma himself put it recently:

"There are question marks on my career. I believe this fight is the best for my development but not only that, it's like I can finally shut a few people up. This is the only one that I'm not trying to get answered is 'How is Moses Itauma's chin?', nobody is going to answer that."

Yes, the 21-year-old Moses may not have had a chin-check yet and that is surely to come in this most unforgiving of divisions, however, I can't see Franklin (24-2-0 (15ko)) providing that on Saturday night.

The 32-year-old Saginaw native has had a solid career and is coming off the back of three straight victories, including the beating of another upcoming undefeated prospect in Kazakh, Ivan Dychko in September. However, those wins followed two back-to-back losses at the highest level against Whyte and Joshua, showing he's probably never going to make it at that world championship rank.

The '989 assassin', named after the Saginaw area code in Michigan, started his career with a string of knockout wins but he's not been able to take that through his career and nine of his last 10 fights have seen the final bell. I get the feeling that may not be the case in Manchester.

Itauma has stopped his last nine opponents and has a superb knack of taking out a man once he realises he has them wounded. Franklin may well be the next in a long-line of bodies that look like a rabbit in the headlights, when faced by the devastating southpaw on the assault.

Itauma to win in rounds 1-3 @ 5/2

Moses is in a rush, literally and figuratively in his career. He's already become Commonwealth champ at the age of 21 and it looks only a matter of time before he will contend for one of the four heavyweight straps.

He's also in a mad rush in the ring itself and hasn't seen the third round for 10 fights now, dispatching six of his last nine opponents in round 1 and the other three in round 2.

Yes, Franklin had a good chin and is durable, never yet being knocked out in his professional career but this is a different kettle of fish entirely and I have no issues whatsoever, in predicting that this fight is over quickly yet again.

As mentioned above Itauma is a supreme and nasty finisher and if he catches Jermaine in those first three rounds, he will jump on him and take him out. The 5/2 on offer looks value to me for a man that has accomplished that same feat for nine straight fights.

Itauma vs Franklin Full Card

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You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.