For the first time, the 21-year-old from Kent had found himself in something resembling a fight. The Ring's No. 7-rated heavyweight shared five rounds with the American, not filled with give-and-take exchanges nor did Itauma have to fight through any adversity but they probably taught him more than the rest of his career combined.

The beautifully picked uppercut that started Franklin's demise also made another excellent addition to a lengthening highlight reel.

After the fight, Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) was delighted with his night's work.

"I think my team wanted me to get some rounds in so I was able to do that and, if I'm completely honest, I don't think it could have gone any better," he said at the post-fight press conference.

"I went the rounds that were necessary, I got a job done and then for all of you lot that wanted to ask me if I've got a chin, I took a shot as well - took two shots. I finally answered some questions, so now it's about what's next."

The heavyweight division is currently ruled by WBC, WBA and IBF titleholder Oleksandr Usyk and WBO champion Fabio Wardley. Ring champion Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) boxes Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Egypt on May 23 and can expect to have a series of mandatory challengers to deal with, if he wants to maintain his three belts.

Itauma is the WBA's No. 1-ranked contender, sits No. 3 with the WBC and WBO president Gustavo Olivieri announced on social media he'll recommend to the championship committee they will soon install the 21-year-old as mandatory challenger for Wardley's title. On May 9, Wardley makes his first title defense against Daniel Dubois.

Being mandated to fight a champion doesn't necessarily mean a fight will happen, however.

Usyk, 39, recently claimed that he won't fight Itauma because he doesn't want to "break him" whilst a clash with his gym-mate Wardley would present its own issues.

Even older established names have distanced themselves from a fight with Itauma. Two-time heavyweight champion Tyson Fury returns to the fray against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 but the 37-year-old has said the youngster "ain't on my radar, he ain't won nothing yet," in response to questions about a potential matchup.

"Listen, Usyk has earned the right to do whatever he wants. There's a pecking order that obviously I've got to respect," Itauma said.

"Obviously, I don't pay attention to none of that. I don't really care what these other heavyweights think or feel, I know what the truth is and the ability that I'm capable of. I've got to go out there and show it."