Ben Whittaker is being hailed as a future world champion in the light-heavyweight boxing division, following his impressive rise since competing in the Tokyo Olympic Games, where he secured a silver medal. The unbeaten professional fighter aims to further his career when he faces Benjamin Gavazi in Birmingham this Saturday.
Promoter Eddie Hearn expressed his excitement about Whittaker’s potential, stating that while the spectacle and hype surrounding his fights are tremendous, the ultimate goal is to see him crowned world champion. In his most recent bout earlier this year, Whittaker avenged a controversial draw against Liam Cameron, stopping him in the second round of their highly-anticipated rematch.
However, the road to a world championship is challenging in the stacked light-heavyweight division. The reigning champions, including Dmitry Bivol, who recently solidified his status by winning a rematch against Artur Beterbiev, hold the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles. Additionally, David Benavidez, the WBC titlist, recently achieved a notable win over another British contender, Anthony Yarde.
The competitive landscape is heightened by fighters like Callum Smith, who captured the WBO Interim title this year after a thrilling victory against Joshua Buatsi. This positions Smith as a leading contender, alongside other top domestic fighters such as Craig Richards, Dan Azeez, and Willie Hutchinson.
Hearn emphasized the importance of a carefully strategized progression for Whittaker. He noted that while Whittaker has the potential to compete with the top fighters, like Bivol and Benavidez, gaining enough experience will be essential for success. Hearn estimates that Whittaker may need an additional four or five fights before being ready for a world title challenge, making a title bout likely in 2027 rather than next year.
With firm plans in place to develop Whittaker’s expertise, the boxing community watches with anticipation as he takes on Gavazi, hoping this fight is another step toward a bright future in a highly competitive division.