Moses Itauma knocks out Jermaine Franklin with big uppercut in 5th round

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Moses Itauma delivered another devastating knockout by sending Jermaine Franklin Jr. to the canvas with a powerful uppercut in the fifth round of their heavyweight fight on Saturday.

Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs), who could soon be in line for a world title shot, staggered Franklin in the center of the ring and the referee waved the fight off as the American fell face first.

Franklin, who went the distance with former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua three years ago, had been billed as Itauma's toughest test yet.

The 21-year-old British southpaw had been dispatching opponents early — none of his previous nine opponents had made it through two rounds.

Franklin (24-3, 15 KOs) was knocked down in the third and ultimately made it to midway through the fifth at Co-op Live Arena. After the uppercut, Itauma threw one final right that seemed to graze the falling Franklin.

Itauma turned pro three years ago in a debut KO victory that lasted just 23 seconds.

The 32-year-old Franklin, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, had won his previous three bouts since his loss to Joshua in April 2023.

AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing

Moses Itauma, right, attempts to land a punch on Jermaine Franklin during a WBA International and WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight bout against Jermaine Franklin, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Manchester, England. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

Moses Itauma left, knocks down Jermaine Franklin during a WBA International and WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight bout against Jermaine Franklin, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Manchester, England. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

Boxer Moses Itauma, left, is directed to a corner after knocking down Jermaine Franklin during a WBA International and WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight bout against Jermaine Franklin, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Manchester, England. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

Moses Itauma left, reacts after knocking down Jermaine Franklin during a WBA International and WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight bout against Jermaine Franklin, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Manchester, England. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff in the Miami Open women’s singles final 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 on Saturday.

The world No. 1 overpowered fourth-ranked Gauff in the first and third sets with sizzling groundstroke winners and became the first player to accomplish the “Sunshine Double” — winning Indian Wells followed by Miami in the same season — since Iga Swiatek in 2022.

It was Sabalenka's second straight title at the Miami Open, Gauff's hometown tournament, and put her ahead of Gauff in their head-to-head record, 7-6.

“You’ve pushed me to be a better player,’’ Sabalenka said during the ceremony, before adding about the crowd, “You always bring a full stadium.’’

The match lasted 2 hours, 11 minutes and ended on Gauff getting broken for the fourth time with a wide backhand.

Gauff fought back to force the third set, but couldn’t maintain the momentum she appeared to get from the deafening crowd supporting her.

“It sucks not to come out with a better result but I had a lot of joy this week,’’ Gauff said to the crowd. “You guys brought energy every day this week.’’

Gauff’s off-and-on serve created seven double faults while Sabalenka registered none.

Sabalenka broke Gauff in the first game of the third set, helped by a Gauff double fault and an unforced error. On break point, Sabalenka crunched a backhand winner.

“I was disappointed about that first game of the third set up 30-0 with momentum,’’ Gauff said. “It was an important game to win in that moment.’’

The match was attended by Kai Trump, President Donald Trump’s granddaughter and a golfer at the University of Miami. She posted a photo with Sabalenka at the tournament on social media Friday.

Sabalenka, who got her 24th pro title, said before the match she was happy Gauff had found her best tennis in her home tournament at which she had never gotten past the fourth round.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Kai Trump, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, watches the women's singles final between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Coco Gauff returns to Aryna Sabalenka during the women's singles final at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka returns to Coco Gauff during the women's singles final at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka, left, and Coco Gauff embrace at the end of the women's singles final at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka kisses the trophy after winning the women's singles final at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Coco Gauff returns against Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic, in the semifinals of the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Aryna Sabalenka reacts after defeating Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning the first set against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Coco Gauff celebrates a point against Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic, in the semifinals of the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Aryna Sabalenka serves to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during a semifinal match at the Miami Open tennis tournament, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)