Why Moses Itauma has to beat Jermaine Franklin or Martin Bakole to maintain world title charge

Rob Tebbutt believes American campaigner Jermaine Franklin or Congolese 'boogeyman' Martin Bakole lie in wait for British sensation Moses Itauma following his demolition victory over Mike Balogun at the weekend.

The 20-year-old produced yet another scintillating early stoppage over the former NFL linebacker on the undercard of Josh Taylor v Ekow Essuman in Glasgow on Saturday night.

The win was the latest in a long line of impressive showings from the supremely talented southpaw, who continues to go from strength to strength under the guidance of trainer Ben Davison.

At just 20 years old, the sky is clearly the limit for the heavyweight sensation, but questions will continue to be raised regarding the quality of his opposition.

It seems as though Itauma is not the problem in that regard however, with the big issue being finding operators who are willing to share the ring with the British knockout artist.

However, given the fact that he is now on the verge of being given a world title opportunity, having been installed as the number one contender by the WBO, Itauma is now in desperate need of rounds or a marquee name.

The two options I have are firstly Jermaine Franklin, the American who has gone the distance with Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua - somebody who is durable and possesses decent skills and hand-speed.

He, you'd expect, would give Itauma the rounds he clearly needs at this stage of his career.

The other option I have is arguably a far more dangerous, albeit lucrative name, in Martin Bakole; a fighter that Queensberry's Frank Warren has previously touted as a potential opponent for his fighter.

The Congolese fighter was once considered the boogeyman of the heavyweight division but was stopped early by Joseph Parker after taking the fight at incredibly late notice, and was then fortunate, for many, to escape his bout with Efe Ajagba with a draw.

Bakole, while talented and a devastating puncher on his day, really has let himself down recently with his conditioning, and you feel that if Itauma could get in the ring with him and stop him, then it would send shockwaves throughout the division.

Both opponents would present difficult challenges for Itauma, although I believe Franklin would be the better option of the two for his development, but, if it's Bakole, then that could propel him even closer to fulfilling his world championship dream.

A third option - a potential wildcard - in the current WBO 'interim' title-holder Joseph Parker, who remains without a dance partner after Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk agreed to run their heavyweight fight back in July.

A win for Itauma over Parker would see him capture the 'interim' belt and be next in line to challenge for the WBO full belt.

For me though, I believe that it will be Jermaine Franklin or Martin Bakole next for the British heavyweight star, Itauma.

Rob Tebbutt

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