Moses Itauma could face an experienced American next following his demolition of Dillian Whyte.
Itauma dispatched of Whyte in the first round in Riyadh on Saturday, easing past his biggest step-up to date.
The 20-year-old heavyweight is on the brink of a maiden world title shot, but remains in desperate need of a major test having never been past six rounds in his 13-fight professional career.
The Kent man has identified Jermaine Franklin as the man to potentially give him those rounds.
Franklin, 31, went the distance with both Anthony Joshua and Whyte, losing to both men on points in his only two career defeats.
“I know the team want me to get rounds,” Itauma told Boxing News.
“Someone like Franklin.
“[Filip] Hrgovic is a good name as well.
“Probably want to get Jermaine Franklin, only because he’ll give me some rounds.”
The Michigan man will first face unbeaten Kazakh, Ivan Dychko on the undercard of the September 13 undisputed super middleweight clash between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Itauma cemented his position as the number one contender to undisputed champion, Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO crown with victory over ‘The Body Snatcher’.
Usyk, who knocked out Daniel Dubois in five rounds at Wembley Stadium last month, has been ordered to make a mandatory defence of his title against interim champion, Joseph Parker, although the Ukrainian has requested an extension for negotiations which are set to conclude by August 23.
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Itauma called for a clash with the 38-year-old in his post-fight interview with DAZN.
“If I’m being completely honest Joseph Parker and [WBC interim champion Agit] Kabayel do deserve the shot [against Usyk].
“But I’d love to take that opportunity as well.
“Chuck me in there with that lot.”
Despite the devastating defeat and calls for him to retire, Whyte, 37, suggested on social media on Sunday that he will continue his career.
The 37-year-old suffered the fourth defeat of his professional career and the first since an April 2022 loss to Tyson Fury in a bid for the WBC heavyweight world title.
