Froch questions matchup after Itauma stops Franklin and moves toward title contention
Carl Froch questioned a potential fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Moses Itauma following Itauma’s fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin. The result has pushed the 21-year-old into the title conversation.
Itauma moved to 14-0 (12 KOs) in Manchester, breaking Franklin down before finishing him with a left uppercut and a right hand that left him flat on the canvas. Neither Anthony Joshua nor Dillian Whyte had managed to stop Franklin, which has sharpened attention on Itauma’s power.
That result has brought his name into the title conversation, with Usyk currently holding the WBC, WBA and IBF belts as he approaches the final stage of his career.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Froch questioned whether that fight makes sense right now.
“I just think that a peak Usyk against a peak Itauma, you would have to say Usyk, but Usyk is a natural cruiserweight and Itauma is a big lump. Have you seen the size of him? Tall, big, strong, heavy, and lightening-fast hands like a middleweight.
“I don’t like the Usyk-Itauma fight. I don’t like it for Usyk. I think that Usyk has done what he needs to do and I’d like to see him hang his gloves up and retire as the number one king. He is the kingpin of the division, of cruiserweight and heavyweight, but he loves fighting and he wants to fight again.
“Would Moses Itauma fancy the fight with Usyk? I am not even sure if his team would fancy it. You wouldn’t usually put someone like him in, at his level, with somebody like Usyk. But, he might have no option and no choice because if he keeps his obliterating opponents the way he has been doing it then that might be a fight that happens.”
Froch still leaned toward the champion when pressed on the outcome.
“I think that Usyk has got too much experience and that he would be too good for him but you just never know because Moses Itauma looks that good.”
Itauma is set to return in July as his team continues to build toward a world title opportunity later this year.
