{"id":309725,"date":"2025-11-27T06:55:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T06:55:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/309725\/"},"modified":"2025-11-27T06:55:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T06:55:07","slug":"whittaker-set-for-next-step-in-career-as-matchroom-boxing-deal-begins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/309725\/","title":{"rendered":"Whittaker set for next step in career as Matchroom Boxing deal begins"},"content":{"rendered":"

A note to Fight Freaks Unite readers: I created Fight Freaks Unite in January 2021 and eight months later it also became available for paid subscriptions for additional content \u2014 and as a way to help keep this newsletter going and for readers to support independent journalism. If you haven\u2019t upgraded to a paid subscription please consider it. If you have already, I truly appreciate it! Also, consider a gift subscription for the Fight Freak in your life.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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)<\/a> at the National Exhibition Centre.<\/p>\n

Whittaker will face Benjamin Gavazi in a 10-rounder with plenty of expectations that Whittaker will dazzle.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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But when Sky did not renew Boxxer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Hearn has called him \u201cphenomenal.\u201d He called the signing \u201cthe greatest\u201d that could be made in boxing today. And he called Whittaker \u201ca generational talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that was all before Whittaker has had even one fight for Matchroom.<\/p>\n

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