British heavyweight Moses Itauma faces the toughest test of his professional career when he fights American Jermaine Franklin at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Saturday, 28 March 2026.

The 21-year-old headlines Queensberry’s Magnificent 7 event as he returns to the ring following a torn bicep.

That sparring injury forced the original January bout to be postponed by two months.

Now fully recovered, the powerful southpaw is seeking another emphatic victory on his rapid ascent to world-title contention.

Final piece of the puzzle

The unbeaten fighter boasts a formidable record of 13 victories with 11 knockouts since turning professional in 2023.

He was last seen demolishing Dillian Whyte in under two minutes last summer in Riyadh.

That dominant performance secured Commonwealth gold to sit alongside his WBA International and WBO Inter-Continental belts.

The British prospect clearly recognises the significance of this weekend’s clash.

This is the final piece of the puzzle before eyeing huge fights and world title opportunities.

Moses Itauma

Durable opposition

Franklin represents a significant step up in class for the home favourite.

The 32-year-old possesses a record of 24 wins and two defeats, but importantly has never been stopped inside the distance.

Both of the American’s career losses came during consecutive London appearances in 2023.

He was edged out by Whyte at Wembley Arena before losing a hard-fought unanimous decision to Anthony Joshua four months later.

Fight times and undercard details

The undercard proceedings in Manchester will begin at 17:00 GMT.

Ring walks for the main event are expected to take place at approximately 23:00 GMT.

Domestic viewers can watch the entire broadcast live via a standard DAZN subscription.

The event features an extensive undercard packed with domestic talent.

Defending two-time champion Ilia Malinin has put his Milan Cortina Olympics disappointment behind him to take a commanding lead in the short program at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.

The American star delivered a personal-best score of 111.29 at the O2 Arena on Thursday.

He will carry a massive advantage of more than nine points into Saturday’s free skate.

Redemption for the ‘Quad God’

The spectacular routine emphatically signalled that his recent Olympic struggles are firmly in the past.

In one of the biggest upsets in the sport’s history, the gold-medal favourite previously plummeted from first to eighth place after falling twice during a disastrous Olympic free skate.

The skater later admitted he had succumbed to the intense pressure during his debut appearance at the Winter Games.

Returning to the ice with renewed focus in the Czech capital, he opened his routine with a flawless quad flip.

The display also featured a seamless combination of a quad lutz and a triple toe loop.

Opting for a sensible strategic approach, the only competitor to land a competitive quad axel performed a triple version of his trademark jump.

Chasing the podium

French competitor Adam Siao Him Fa secured second place with 101.85 points after nailing a perfect quad toe loop combination.

Aleksandr Selevko of Estonia delivered a surprise third-place finish by achieving a personal-best score of 96.49.

Japanese Olympic bronze medallist Shun Sato currently sits in fourth position.

Meanwhile, his compatriot and pre-event favourite Yuma Kagiyama suffered a costly fall during a lutz attempt.

Notable absences and American hopefuls

United States representative Andrew Torgashev finished the opening day in seventh place.

Fellow American Jacob Sanchez claimed 10th position in what is his senior worlds debut.

Newly crowned Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan has chosen to skip this week’s tournament.

The pairs free skate event is scheduled to conclude later on Thursday evening.

The International Olympic Committee has banned transgender women from competing in all female events at the Olympic Games.

The sweeping decision marks a significant shift in policy for the world’s foremost sporting organisation.

Previously, the global authority had allowed individual international federations to determine their own specific eligibility criteria for female categories.

Eligibility rule changes

This updated framework means athletes who have transitioned from male to female will no longer be permitted to enter women’s Olympic competitions.

The ruling aligns the pinnacle of international sport with several governing bodies that have recently tightened their own participation guidelines.

Organisations such as World Athletics and World Aquatics have already implemented similar restrictions regarding female categories in recent years.

Impact on future Games

The new directive will be strictly enforced across all disciplines ahead of the upcoming summer and winter sporting spectacles.

Officials have consistently stated that balancing competitive fairness in female categories with the desire for general athletic inclusion remains a deeply complex challenge.

It is understood that this restriction applies universally across every sport contested under the five-ring umbrella.

Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson has confirmed he will refund $500,000 he allegedly paid himself shortly before his Grand Slam Track league collapsed in December 2025.

The ambitious athletics project folded after hosting just three events in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia.

Organisers voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the United States after cancelling the final meeting of their inaugural season.

A legal filing in Delaware by vendors accused the American of secretly paying himself the six-figure sum eight days prior to the financial collapse.

Disputed payment and reimbursement claims

Representatives for the league vehemently rejected the accusations of a secret payout, labelling them unfounded and false.

A spokesperson clarified that the 58-year-old always viewed the transaction as a reimbursement rather than a direct salary payment.

The former sprinter had previously injected $2.25m into the business in May 2025 after a major investor withdrew from a planned funding round.

“To avoid disruption and continue moving forward he and Winners Alliance have agreed to fund the $500k to the plan so that all creditors can benefit.”

Debts, athletes and future prospects

The organisation faces substantial financial hurdles, with the Association of Athletics Managers estimating debts exceeding $30m earlier this year.

Under a newly amended bankruptcy plan, athletes are projected to receive 70% of their promised prize money, while unsecured creditors may only recover around 15%.

Former world 1500m champion Josh Kerr is among the competitors affected, with legal documents indicating the British runner is owed $168,750.

World Athletics has maintained a firm stance on the matter, refusing to license any future events until all outstanding obligations from the 2025 season are settled.

The global governing body previously described attempts to restart the competition without paying athletes and vendors as unconscionable.

BBC broadcasting departure

In a separate development, the BBC confirmed there are no plans to feature the legendary athlete in its athletics coverage this year.

Representatives for the four-time Olympic gold medallist stated it was his personal decision not to renew his broadcasting contract following the Paris 2024 Games.

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has cast doubt on a third fight with Tyson Fury, suggesting he could instead face mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel before retiring.

The Ukrainian star is scheduled to defend his world titles against kickboxing crossover Rico Verhoeven in May.

That upcoming bout represents his first ring appearance since a knockout victory over Daniel Dubois last summer.

Mandatory obligations complicate retirement plan

Earlier this month, the 38-year-old outlined a clear three-fight roadmap to conclude his illustrious career.

He initially targeted Verhoeven, the winner of an upcoming Fabio Wardley versus Dubois clash, and finally a third meeting with Fury.

However, boxing authorities are expected to order the undefeated southpaw to face German contender Kabayel following his May defence.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the two-time undisputed champion admitted his schedule remains completely flexible.

Maybe I will fight Kabayel, maybe I don’t face Tyson Fury for a third time, and I fight Kabayel instead.
I only say my plan, but that is not set in stone.

Fury insists rival will demand trilogy

Usyk secured back-to-back decision victories over his British rival during 2024 to cement his historic legacy.

Despite those definitive results, the outspoken heavyweight maintains he was unfairly treated by the judges on both occasions.

The former WBC titleholder, who returns to action against Arslanbek Makhmudov next month, believes financial motivations will eventually force a third encounter.

He’ll be begging for a trilogy by the end of the year.
There’s no one for him to fight to make any money. There’s only the GK, the big man.

England batter Ben Duckett has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League to reboot his international career and issued an apology for an alcohol-related incident during the recent Ashes series.

The 31-year-old was scheduled to represent the Delhi Capitals on a £200,000 contract but has pulled out of the upcoming franchise tournament.

This sudden withdrawal means the Nottinghamshire star now faces an automatic three-year suspension from the lucrative competition.

Apology following Australian struggles

The decision follows a dismal winter campaign down under where the tourists succumbed to a heavy 4-1 series defeat against Australia.

The opening batsman struggled for form throughout the tour and was embroiled in controversy when footage emerged of him intoxicated in Noosa.

An investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board followed the incident, which occurred during a break between Tests while the team was already 2-0 down.

“I am sorry for that incident, it was not professional and shouldn’t have happened. There is no hiding away from it.”

Ben Duckett

The left-hander explained that the previous four years of his career had been entirely focused on achieving success during this pivotal winter schedule.

Looking toward an uncertain future

Despite travelling with the squad for the recent T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, the Trent Rockets signee failed to make a single appearance.

Spending extended periods on the sidelines has prompted the seasoned professional to evaluate his long-term international prospects across all formats.

“Not playing in the World Cup, and being on the sidelines in India after such a tough Ashes series was a struggle for me.”

Ben Duckett

However, the embattled cricketer insists these recent setbacks have ignited a renewed determination to reclaim his regular starting position.

Conor McGregor has confirmed he will return to the UFC this summer, with intense speculation suggesting the Irishman will face Jorge Masvidal in Las Vegas on 11 July.

The former dual-weight champion has been absent from the octagon for nearly five years.

His last appearance ended in disaster when he suffered a severe leg break during a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier.

However, the Dubliner took to social media to emphatically announce his impending comeback during International Fight Week.

The rumours are true. Mr. Confidence returns to save fighting again!

Masvidal emerges as clear favourite

While no official opponent has been named, supporters have quickly connected the dots following recent comments from another veteran fighter.

Former welterweight title challenger Masvidal recently revealed that the promotion blocked his request to compete on an upcoming Netflix boxing card.

The Miami native claimed executives denied the move because they have significant plans for his next appearance.

They said ‘No, we’re going to use you’ and I’ll break the news on this podcast who they want me to fight and when and where.

Social media consensus points to blockbuster showdown

Masvidal noted that he had a lucrative offer on the table but insists he is eager to fulfil his current contractual obligations.

This revelation has led numerous combat sports enthusiasts to conclude that a long-awaited clash between the two superstars is finally materialising.

Supporters correctly highlight that both men remain under contract and possess the star power required to headline the July event.

Although the matchup would have carried even more divisional relevance several years ago, it remains a highly lucrative proposition for the promotion.

Families and former champions are demanding a dedicated specialist care home for retired fighters, telling a new BBC documentary that boxing routinely fails to support its most vulnerable heroes.

The severe physical and neurological toll of the ring leaves many former athletes facing significant difficulties once the cheering stops.

In the wake of the passing of Ricky Hatton, renewed focus has been placed on the glaring lack of aftercare for those who sacrifice their health for the sport.

A steep decline from Olympic glory

Terry Spinks represents a stark example of the disparity between public adulation and private suffering.

The Londoner captured Olympic gold at the 1956 Melbourne Games to become a national phenomenon.

Despite achieving the status of a household name, the bookmaker’s son ultimately succumbed to a battle with alcoholism and severe brain injuries.

His cousin, Rosemary Elmore, sacrificed her career to support the former amateur star on a basic carer’s allowance.

Terry didn’t know me. He didn’t know anybody.

She acknowledges that not every competitor is fortunate enough to have a family safety net when their physical health deteriorates.

Campaigning for a permanent sanctuary

For many advocates, the solution lies in establishing a permanent bricks-and-mortar facility.

Former British champion Jimmy Revie is currently living with dementia at the age of 78.

His wife, Louisa, relies on local meetings with other ex-boxers to keep his spirits up.

When he goes to the meetings he comes alive because he sees all the old fighters, and they all say ‘hello Jim’ and they’re all friendly.

She is passionately backing the Ringside Charity Trust, an organisation fighting to open a 36-bed specialist care home.

The proposed facility would mirror the dedicated support structure already provided by the Jockey Club for retired jockeys.

Combating isolation after retirement

The charity currently operates a dedicated helpline to assist former athletes experiencing severe mental or physical distress.

Advocates envision a space with specialised nursing staff and tailored entertainment, including a cinema for residents to watch historic bouts.

Stephen Smith, an experienced coach and member of a prominent fighting family, believes professionals often become highly vulnerable once their careers conclude.

Your phone doesn’t go again once you retire.

He insists that implementing a structural safety net is crucial to ensuring fighters are no longer kicked to the kerb.