Whittaker Claims He’s Already “Skill-Wise” Elite at 175

Ben Whittaker says he’s on the degree now of David Benavidez and different elite mild heavyweights “skill-wise.” 

Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) states that in a “couple of extra fights,” he’ll be up with the elites at 175. Promoter Eddie Hearn might produce other concepts, as he’s speaking about desirous to convey the 2020 Olympic silver medalist alongside at a slower, five-fight tempo earlier than he places him in with the highest echelon mild heavyweights.

Whittaker, 28, nonetheless must shake the quitter label followers gave him after he fell out of the ring throughout his first battle in opposition to Liam Cameron in 2024. They noticed a fighter who selected to not proceed combating when the going acquired powerful in opposition to a domestic-level boxer.

Quitting in opposition to that degree of an opponent was a harbinger for issues to return. Hearn selected to disregard that battle and signal Ben anyway. Will he reside to remorse this signing?

Tonight, Whittaker will present whether or not he’s lower from the identical material because the likes of David Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol when he fights Benjamin Gavazi.

The 2 are assembly within the 10-round major occasion for the vacant WBC Silver mild heavyweight title in a 10-rounder on the Nationwide Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. Whittaker-Gavazi shall be proven reside on DAZN.

“Not far. Ability-wise, I believe I’m there now,” mentioned Ben Whittaker to iFL TV when requested how distant he’s from being at David Benavidez’s degree when it comes to elite mild heavyweights. “I’m solely 10 fights. A few extra fights and I’ll be there.”

The way in which Whittaker fights, showboating and transferring, isn’t something just like the elite mild heavyweights. WBC mild heavyweight champion Benavidez assaults his opponents continually and doesn’t waste time showboating. The identical with Artur Beterbiev.

Bivol strikes out and in, however doesn’t clown round, attempting to make his opponents look unhealthy the best way Whittaker does.

“In fact, you wish to see me in that blend,” mentioned Whittaker when requested if he views himself among the many prime domestic-level fighters, Anthony Yarde, Lyndon Arthur, and Joshua Buatsi. “I’m the youngest one out of them. I’ve in all probability acquired the perfect expertise out of them. They acquired expertise.”

Ideally, Whittaker ought to battle these three fights to indicate that he can beat contenders earlier than being thrown in with the sharks at 175, Benavidez, Bivol, and Beterbiev. The wheels might come off the Whittaker prepare lengthy earlier than he will get to the elite-level guys if Hearn places him to a check first.

What Hearn ought to have achieved was wait to see if Whittaker was idiot’s gold or the actual 24k stuff earlier than signing him to a long-term contract with Matchroom. Signing him to a one or two-fight deal and testing him in opposition to Callum Smith and Buatsi would have been the sensible transfer. Hearn is excessive on Callum, so that may have been the right audition for Whittaker.

“However for me, it’s no matter comes up first. If a world title comes up first or a path to a world title, I’ll take that, after all,” mentioned Whittaker. “But when I’ve to undergo these guys, decide them off one after the other, I’ll try this. I’ve acquired 10 fights, and I’ve individuals with 20 and 30 fights calling me out. So, no matter I’m doing, I’m doing one thing proper. I believe the extra expertise I get, the extra harmful I’m. So, if I used to be them, I’d get me now.”