Ben Whittaker, who is the outspoken Olympic silver medallist from 2020, continues to dominate headlines as he navigates his early professional career. He has only amassed seven fights to date, has won all of them and five by knockout, but many people already tip him for super-stardom.
That is not only down to his slick boxing skills, but also the way he conducts himself in the ring. He favours fancy shorts and gowns and theatrical ring entrances and also loves to showboat which has drawn plenty of attention, both good and bad.
His first viral moment came when he put on a solid yet polarising performance against Khalid Graidia. Clips of the fight went all across social media and showed Whittaker in full flow with all his playacting and taunting of his opponent.
Since then he has done the same again against the tough Leon Willings who he beat on points, and is next out on June 15 against Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka who has promised he will be no push over.
In amongst all this there has been plenty of speculation about how long he will stay with BOXXER as Eddie Hearn has said he would love to sign him for Matchroom.
Now, speaking to Boxing Social, Shalom has spoken about the matter and asked if it is true that Whittaker only has one fight left on his deal according to Matchroom’s Frank Smith.
“It’s as true as everything else he says. It’s ridiculous, we’ve just started. He’s had seven fights now. The way he has blown up I am incredibly proud of.
“It’s been a great journey so far but it’s the only start. We’ve got a superstar on our hands. We went to America last week and he’s getting noticed on the streets. He’s a special talent and a big part of our future. “
The light-heavyweight division is packed with talent right now. The current belt-holding champions, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, are set to meet on June 1 in Saudi Arabia when they will battle it out for the undisputed title on a stacked card.
It also features the much anticipated Matchroom versus Queensberry 5 on 5 contest with heavyweights like Daniel Dubois and Fillip Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder set to fight. There’s also a top British light heavyweight Craig Richards on that bill in a clash with Willy Hutchinson.
Meanwhile, two of Britain’s best in the weight class, Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi, have long been on a collision course although promotional disputes for Yarde are keeping that one in the realm of fantasy for now.
Add into the mix Lyndon Arthur, who recently challenged Bivol, and Dan Azeez, who lost a hard fight, and there are plenty of great fights to look board to for Whittaker, no matter who he is boxing with.
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