The latest show from Boxxer this Saturday night has an intriguing main event but there will be a particular focus on the undercard too.
Topping the bill at the Bournemouth International Centre will be Chris Billam-Smith defending his European and Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles against Isaac Chamberlain.
And prior to that Ben Whittaker will be making his highly anticipated debut.
Boxxer and Ben Shalom beat Matchroom to secure the signing of the 2020 Olympic Silver medallist in May.
Whittaker soon enlisted the services of Tyson Fury’s trainer Sugar Hill Steward to be in his corner too.
The hype around Whittaker will be briefly put to one side on Saturday when he takes on Greg O’Neill. And the 25-year-old told starlet Sky Sports News he will go out and justify his build-up.
“No disrespect to the kid but I’m going to show what level I’m at. I’m a different level. People are talking about me for a reason. I’m just going to show it.”
For Whittaker the early comparisons to ring legend Roy Jones Jr are just words as he looks to make his own mark in the sport.
“I’m looking to come out and just be Ben Whittaker. I’m getting a lot of comparisons of old Roy Jones, Tommy Hearns, but at the end of the day I’m me. I’m Ben Whittaker.”
Whittaker has been working with Steward in Miami which the fighter described as a ‘good experience’ and got him out of his comfort zone.
The successful trainer has proven during his work with Tyson Fury that he knows how to get the most out of someone’s punching power.
‘The Gypsy King’ has proved that during his second and third fight against Deontay Wilder, and when he knocked out Dillian Whyte in April.
Steward’s new student is now looking for similar results and to show fight fans he’s not just about the sweet science.
“Everybody knows me as a beautiful boxer so first things first, that’s going to happen but I want to show that I’m spiteful and I can hurt now.”
“I putting these Grant gloves on now and when I hit somebody I know they’re going to hurt so I’m excited.”
“I’m excited. I’m excited to show that I can do that now. Everyone knows me as a slick fast boxer but I can punch as well and he’s [Steward] bringing that out of me.”