BIRMINGHAM, England – Ben Whittaker brutally stopped Benjamin Gavazi inside the opener in his Matchroom debut at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Center.
Germany’s Gavazi, now 19-2 (13 KOs), was brought in to make Whittaker shine in his much-anticipated debut under new promotional outfit Matchroom Boxing, and that’s exactly what Whittaker did – quite literally, he walked to the ring dressed head to toe in tin foil. Whittaker, who is normally one for the theatrical with his showboating and in-ring antics, was calm and collected, and when the finish came, he was vicious.
The bell sounded and both men met in the center of the ring, with Gavazi planting a jab into Whittaker’s midsection. Whittaker, 28, didn't showboat, he was controlled and floated around the ring, almost observing his opponent as a predator does before pouncing on his prey. The German took confidence from the lack of punches coming his way and pressed forward recklessly. Whittaker pivoted out of harm's way, then as Gavazi came in again Whittaker planted a left hand downstairs, then brought his attack to the head, dropping Gavazi with a hard right.
Gavazi, 30, was frustrated with himself, but returned to his feet, and Whittaker poured on the pressure. Whittaker belted in the hooks to the head and body, with Gavazi bent over in pain, and then, as the German lifted his head up, Whittaker fired in two hooks, with the last thumbing across Gavazi’s chin. The German was out before he hit the canvas, tumbling backwards with his skull bouncing off the floor. The finish was brutal, and spiteful, and there was limited celebration from Whittaker, who usually is one for the theatrical, as his opponent lay unconscious on the floor.
“We’re crying out for a superstar and Ben Whittaker is him,” said promoter Eddie Hearn of Whittaker’s showing. America is crying out for Ben Whittaker. This man has got it all. He’s an absolute superstar in the making.”
A superstar Whittaker may be, but tougher tests lie ahead for the now 10-0-1 (7 KOs) light heavyweight in one of boxing’s toughest divisions.
Before then, Tom Cowley picked up the Midlands Area middleweight title in a cracking local derby with Aaron Bowen. The bout was fought at a frightening pace, with both men seemingly forgetting how to move their heads throughout the contest. Shots were bouncing off the pair’s heads, but in the fifth it looked like Bowen was going to be too much for Cowling. A hard right sent Cowling tumbling to the canvas, and although he returned to his feet, he was hurt badly again before the round’s close. Bowen went for the kill but neglected his defense, and Cowling was able to counter at will at times. The pair embraced after a brilliant contest and awaited the scores. The judges’ scored the bout 93-96, 95-94 twice, earning Cowling a win by split decision. Cowling rose to 15-1 (4 KOs) with the biggest win of his career, while Bowen fell to 7-1 (4 KOs) with his first loss.
