LONDON – Ben Whittaker made his first appearance since putting pen to paper on a long term deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing in London, England.
“We know Ben Whittaker has all the ingredients to be a great fighter,” said Eddie Hearn. “Our job now, alongside Andy Lee, isn’t just to make him a global star, but to challenge the elite of one of the toughest divisions in boxing.”
The appeal of boxing worldwide clearly played a part in securing Whittaker’s signature.
“I’ve got fans around the world, my global fans have been screaming for the opportunity [to see me],” Whittaker said.
Whittaker’s first bout under the Matchroom banner will take place on November 29 at the BP Pulse LIVE in Birmingham, England. Germany’s Benjamin Gavazi will be the man in the opposing corner.
“I’m going to slice and dice him, and turn him into a German doner kebab. He can try [and beat me],” said Whittaker of his foe.”
Gavazi was much more respectful when asked for his thoughts on facing Whittaker in his debut bout for his new promoter.
“I want to take this chance and win this fight. I am the underdog but I’m ready to shock the boxing world and show how good I am. When I win this fight my life will change.”
The bout will be the 9-0-1 (6 KOs) Whittaker’s second with trainer Andy Lee, after an impressive second round finish of Liam Cameron in their rematch back in April.
“It will be a good win for him and he will go down as one of the best light heavyweights this country has ever produced,” predicted Lee.
Whittaker then took aim at his former promoter Ben Shalom’s Boxxer, who this week announced they had rescheduled Frazer Clarke-Jeamie Tshikeva for the same date as Whittaker’s Matchroom debut.
“There’s a couple of shows on [November 29], you know the one to watch,” the 28-year-old Whittaker said.
