Promoter Eddie Hearn says his new signee Ben Whittaker is “5 fights away” from being able to face the elite gentle heavyweights, Dmitry Bivol, David Benavidez, and Artur Beterbiev.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
That’s an enormous step up in school for the 28-year-old Whittaker to be taking after solely 10 fights as a professional. Nevertheless, given Ben’s age, it’s comprehensible why Hearn is fast-tracking him. Whittaker is similar age as Benavidez, and older than 27-year-old former two-division world champion David Morrell of Cuba.
Hearn can’t afford to child Whittaker with weak matchmaking as a result of he must be near-ready now to no less than attempt to compete with the highest fighters at 175. If he can’t do it at this level, it received’t assist ready till he’s in his early 30s.
“Lots of people reached out to me from Germany, saying, ‘This child [Gavazi] is recreation, he’s bang up for this.’ I believe Ben will look sensational on Saturday. He must as a result of he’s that good, and there’s that a lot hype behind him,” mentioned promoter Eddie Hearn to The Stomping Floor about gentle heavyweight Ben Whittaker making his debut with Matchroom Boxing in opposition to Benjamin Gavazi on Saturday.
Hearn just lately signed the 2020 Olympic silver medalist Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) to a long-term take care of Matchroom. He fights for the primary time underneath their banner this Saturday, November twenty ninth, in opposition to Benjamin Gavazi (19-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round bout on the Nationwide Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England.
“You’ve received to be going by way of, slicing and dicing these guys. He’s had 10 fights,” mentioned Hearn about Whittaker. “Buatsi, Yarde, and dare I say, Callum Smith, are coming towards the again finish [of 2026]. Then you definately’ve received to get your self prepared for the tremendous elite guys.
“Ben is 5 fights away from being wherever close to prepared for Bivol, Benavidez, and Beterbiev. He has the potential to get there, however that’s an entire different stage that we’ve received to take him to and ensure he’s correctly ready for with [trainer] Andy Lee,” mentioned Hearn.
