Moses Itauma appears to be the next big thing in the heavyweight division.

Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) looks like he has all the tools to become a top champion. With his skills being lauded, many believe he’ll walk through Jermaine Franklin on January 24 at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

Over his last few fights, the 20-year-old has wrecked the competition. Still, even with Itauma stopping Mike Balogun and Dillian Whyte earlier this year, and despite the odds being stacked against him, Franklin won’t go out without a fight.

“I’m Jermaine Franklin, a warrior inside and out,” Franklin said during their recent press conference. “I’ll die for this. He’ll have to do the job. I’m not lying down for anybody.”

Franklin’s confidence isn’t coming from thin air. Following back-to-back losses to Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua, the 32-year-old contender has won three straight.

Those victories, however, haven’t changed the overarching mood of those in boxing circles. Simply put, Itauma is viewed as too young, too fast, too strong, and too good. With that said, Franklin (24-2, 15 KOs) doesn’t take offense to any of it. The Michigan native knows what he brings to the table and can’t wait to show what he’s got.

“It’s fuel to the fire,” Franklin said when asked if the doubters give him extra motivation. “I’ve been proving people wrong my whole life. I bring a lot of danger. I’m a little awkward and can do stuff from different positions. That’s hard to adjust to. I’m a huge danger in the fight.”

Itauma has yet to be pushed to the edge and is struggling to bank professional rounds.

So what happens when Itauma gets pushed to the limit?

Although that question hasn’t been answered, Franklin plans on putting his man in a position where he’ll be forced to deal with it.

“I’ll test everything in this fight,” Franklin continued. “Nothing's easy. He’s gonna have to work for it. I’m coming to fight and I’m a warrior. I’m a be able to get stuff off. So I know I will be able to test it.”