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The next chapter in the career of the brash and equally heralded light heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker, a 2020 British Olympic silver medalist, begins now.
In his first fight since signing a much-publicized promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing in October following the end of his contract with Boxxer, Whittaker will have a Birmingham, England, homecoming on Saturday (DAZN, 2 p.m. ET) at the National Exhibition Centre.
Whittaker will face Benjamin Gavazi in a 10-rounder with plenty of expectations that Whittaker will dazzle.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn had his eye on signing Whittaker for years and thought they would get it done post Olympics. They had known each for years and gone so far as to shoot a promotional video in anticipation of an agreement but in the end Whittaker went with Boxxer, largely because of its broadcast deal with British behemoth Sky Sports, where he received ample exposure.
But when Sky did not renew Boxxer’s deal and it ended this past summer, Whittaker, who turned pro in July 2022, became a free agent and Hearn got his man, who he has raved about more than perhaps any fighter he has ever worked with.
Hearn has called him “phenomenal.” He called the signing “the greatest” that could be made in boxing today. And he called Whittaker “a generational talent.”
And that was all before Whittaker has had even one fight for Matchroom.