Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has spoken about potentially signing a rival talent currently working with Boxxer, insisting that “he’ll be a Matchroom fighter one day.”
Ben Whittaker is a light heavyweight prospect utilising his dazzling showmanship to create viral moments, and earnt himself more than 100,000 followers on Instagram after his electric performance at Wembley Arena earlier this month.
Since winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, his early spell in the pro ranks has been a divisive one, but regardless of whether fans are tuning in to watch him succeed or see him beaten, Whittaker’s flamboyant personality has attracted many eyeballs.
It is clear he has gained the attention of Matchroom chief Hearn, who whilst speaking to Boxing News, has teased working with Whittaker in the future.
“I’m sure Ben Whittaker will be a Matchroom fighter one day. I don’t know what his contractual situation is, I’ve had no talks, but I see the kid being a star.
“The problem with Ben is you can build him in the UK but you’ve got to fight him internationally. He should be on the Canelo cards, he should be on the Haney cards, he should be one the Saudi cards.
“[In America] no promoter’s going to put him on a TV slot because they put their own fighters on TV slots. If Ben has aspirations to be a superstar then obviously he’s going to want to be with Matchroom.”
Before making his professional debut, reports suggested that the 26-year-old was close to inking a deal with Matchroom and Hearn.
However, he signed with Ben Shalom at Boxxer instead, joining some of his team GB colleagues – including Frazer Clarke, Lauren Price and Karriss Artingstall – at Sky Sports, as opposed to DAZN.