Anniversary: The heavyweight duel between Moses Itauma and Jermaine Franklin is at the top of promoter Frank Warren’s fight card on January 24 in Manchester.
Frank Warren opens his 45th year as a licensed boxing promoter with a top event in Manchester on January 24, 2026. The 73-year-old Queensberry boss is staging his “Magnificent 7” at the Co-op Live Arena – with the heavyweight fight Itauma vs Franklin as the headliner.
Young star in quick succession
Moses Itauma, who is often referred to as the upcoming world champion of the premier class, has already defeated Mike Balogun (T.K.O. 2nd round) and Dillian Whyte (T.K.O. 1st round) in quick succession this year. While the 20-year-old southpaw has a record of 13-0 (11 knockouts), Jermaine Franklin has won 24 of his 26 fights (24-2, 15 knockouts). The 32-year-old US fighter’s only two defeats came against Whyte (2022) and Anthony Joshua (2023). The “989 Assassin” then won three times in a row.
In another main event of the “Magnificent 7”, two of Warren’s great light heavyweights will face each other: Talented Scot Willy Hutchinson (19-2, 14 knockouts) meets unbeaten Ezra Taylor (13-0, 9 knockouts). In the super featherweight division, Commonwealth champion Zak Miller (17-1, 3 knockouts) meets Liam Davies (17-1, 8 knockouts), while in the middleweight division Shakiel Thompson (15-0, 11 knockouts) takes on Brad Pauls (20-2-1, 11 knockouts).
Crowd favorite Nathan Heaney (19-1-1, 6 KOs) also returns to the ring against Welsh southpaw Gerome Warburton (16-2-2, 2 KOs). In other bouts at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, Alex Murphy (14-2) and Josh Holmes (17-0, 6 KOs) and Aqib Fiaz (14-1, 2 KOs) and Aqib Fiaz (12-1-1, 2 KOs) will face each other at lightweight.
“A sign for the future”
“We are delighted to be able to offer the fans such a strong program at our first show in the UK in 2026,” said the promoter legend. “It’s a statement of intent for the new year as well as a sign of things to come.” Warren, to whom BOXSPORT dedicates a story in its current issue, has already led numerous British ring heroes to success. These include boxers such as Frank Bruno, “Prince” Naseem Hamed, Nigel Benn, Amir Khan, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe. Now Moses Itauma from the Queensberry stable is already being touted as the next big star of British boxing.
“The Magnificent 7 will also celebrate my 45th anniversary in the pro ranks. I think this fight card certainly lives up to the occasion,” said Hall-of-Famer Frank Warren. “I’m very happy to have our heavyweight prodigy Moses at the top of the bill. He can prove himself in a perfect test against Jermaine Franklin and showcase his outstanding qualities.”
Text: Frank Schwantes