Ben Whittaker vs. Braian Suarez | DAZN - 18 April 2026

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Round=by-Round starts here




Callum Smith-David Morrell off, Matchroom hoping to reschedule

An injury to Callum Smith, endured during the 35-year-old’s final stages of training camp, has ruled him out of his fight with David Morrell.

The contest, which was to be for Smith’s WBO interim light heavyweight title, had been scheduled for April 18 at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena. Ben Whittaker’s fight with Braian Suarez, also set for 175lbs, will now be the main event.

“Naturally, it is a massive blow to lose a megafight so close to the event, and we wish Callum a speedy recovery,” said Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing.

Birmingham, England’s, Whittaker – “box office in whichever city he fights in,” according to Hearn – is being lined up for an American debut later in the year.

“Ben will be out to show once again why he will be the future of this sport as the eventual ruler of the 175lbs division,” Hearn said.

The 28-year-old Whittaker, a recent acquisition of Matchroom’s, said: “I’m excited… You know what we do, ‘The Surgeon’ is gonna turn up and put on a spectacular performance.”

Morrell, seemingly still keen to compete in less than a fortnight’s time, took to social media to call out Whittaker: “I’m ready to fight April 18th,” he said before noting he was born six months after the up-and-comer. “How are you older than me and still a prospect? Let’s give the fans what they want to see!”

Smith, who at nearly 36 is closing in on the final stages of his career, is understood to be crestfallen at his latest opportunity slipping away. The veteran, 31-2 (22 KOs), reinvigorated his career with victory over Joshua Buatsi in February 2025 and has been hoping to build on that success ever since.

Dmitry Bivol, the unified champion, holds the full WBO title at light heavyweight, a belt he’ll defend against Michael Eifert on May 30 to fulfill his mandatory with the IBF. Bivol also has the WBA belt.

The WBO, via their president Gustavo Olivieri, responded on social media: “The WBO will grant Team Smith a 10-day period to submit a medical report detailing diagnosis, prognosis, recovery period, and expected return to competition.

“Pursuant to WBO regulations, Mr. Smith is afforded 180 days from the Bivol-Eifert bout to fulfil his mandatory obligation against Mr. Morrell. Failure to comply within this period will result in the [interim] title being declared vacant.

“The winner of Smith-Morrell MUST face the winner of Bivol-Eifert to terminate the [interim] status.”

Matchroom, via CEO Frank Smith, confirmed to BS that they will enter discussions with the WBO in an effort to get Smith-Morrell rescheduled.

Smith has suffered with injuries throughout his career but, according to Matchroom, is for now unwilling to divulge the details of his latest setback.

[Flump]

Morrell is right about one thing, Whittaker is a very old prospect. The next 12 months will tell if you if Eddie has any confidence in him.

[tony1234]

Does Whittaker actually shift tickets ? That's the acid test, no point putting him against opponents who cost money if he isn't generating cash himself

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Eddie Hearn Rules Out Ben Whittaker vs. David Morrell; Focus Remains on Gradual Development

Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn has firmly ruled out a potential clash between Ben Whittaker and David Morrell, stating that the matchup comes “too early” for the British prospect.

“Ben’s not ready for that fight yet. There’s nothing wrong with that,” Hearn told media, emphasizing that Whittaker’s path will continue to follow a structured and measured progression.

Hearn went further by placing Morrell among the established elite at light heavyweight, well ahead of where Whittaker currently operates. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist (10-0-1, 7 KOs) has yet to compete in a 12-round contest, a key milestone his team wants to reach before stepping into top-tier opposition.

“We’re not fighting at that level yet. Whittaker needs three or four fights before we’re fighting at that level,” Hearn added.

Whittaker is scheduled to headline on April 18 in Liverpool against Argentina’s Braian Nahuel Suarez (21-4, 20 KOs) in a 10 round bout, live on DAZN. He was elevated to the main event following the withdrawal of Callum Smith, who was originally set to face Morrell but pulled out due to injury.

The cancellation of that fight opened the door for a late replacement, prompting Morrell to publicly call out Whittaker on social media:

“Ben Whittaker, I’m ready to fight April 18th. How are you older than me and still a prospect? Let’s give the fans the fight they want to see!”

Despite the challenge, Hearn made it clear there was no room to alter plans. Whittaker had already committed to facing Suarez following a short training camp, effectively ruling out any late switch to an opponent of Morrell’s caliber.

Looking ahead, Whittaker is expected to return on June 27 against a yet to be confirmed U.S. opponent. Hearn indicated that a domestic level step up could follow, potentially against contenders such as Anthony Yarde or Lyndon Arthur, before targeting a world title opportunity.

Fan reaction to the current trajectory has been largely negative, with criticism aimed at both the level of opposition and the pace of Whittaker’s development. The British fighter turns 29 on June 6, adding scrutiny to the timeline for his eventual move into elite competition.

For now the message from his team is clear: no shortcuts. Meanwhile, Morrell remains without a confirmed date following the cancellation of his bout, eager to capitalize on his training camp and secure a meaningful fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn is so full of shit.

Then he's calling Azim a duck for not fighting Smith.. Azim said he's young and has time on his side.

Maybe Azim 'isn't ready for Smith'..

Ben isn't even young. He should be fighting way more often, or pushed more quicker.. Quicker he loses, quicker he disappears.

[MPW]

There's gradual and measured development, and then there's glacial-speed development. Whittaker's been a pro for six years with only 11 fights (number 12 coming up) and still being treated like a prospect. I understand going through the steps and not wanting to rush a fighter, but at some point in time you have to take a risk and find out just what they can do against step-up competition.

[mickey1975]

Nearly four years pro but I get your point.

[Ruthless-RKO]

He was barely active with Boxxer..

A lot of them Olympians they signed, Cus they had Sky behind them.

But progression was too slow.

Olympians, or good amateurs are moved on quicker than this.

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Fight Week!!

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Ben Whittaker Not Being Fast-Tracked As Matchroom Explain Suarez Fight

Frank Smith admits development reset ahead of Liverpool main event

Ben Whittaker’s headline slot this Saturday is being used to steady his development rather than push him forward, with Matchroom openly rejecting calls for a rapid step up.

Matchroom CEO Frank Smith made clear that Whittaker’s opponent, Braian Nahuel Suarez, had already been secured before the recent card reshuffle elevated the bout to main event status.

“Suarez had signed up to the fight. We just hadn’t announced it yet,” Smith said to October Red, dismissing suggestions that the matchup was a late adjustment following the cancellation of the original headline fight.

The decision also ruled out speculation around a much tougher assignment, with Smith stating that moving Whittaker into that level of opposition now “would be stupid” and “doesn’t make any sense” given his current position.

Instead, Matchroom are treating the fight as part of a broader correction in Whittaker’s progression. Smith acknowledged that the soon-to-be 29-year-old “hasn’t had the right type of opponents to keep progressing,” while reiterating the long-term goal: “The job we’ve got to do with Ben Whittaker is build him into becoming a global superstar.”

The plan is now to increase activity, with four fights targeted before the end of the year as part of a structured build.

When Matchroom signed Whittaker away from Boxxer back in October, the narrative was that he was finally moving to the major leagues to fulfill his potential as a future world champion. Instead, we are seeing the same cautious matchmaking that plagued his early career.

Most Olympic silver medalists are fighting for world titles by their 10th or 12th fight. Whittaker is 10 fights deep and nearly 29 years old, yet he’s still fighting opponents like Suarez who, while durable, are not top-tier contenders.

While Smith claims Suarez is a step up, many fans see it as just another showcase opponent. Suarez has lost when he’s stepped up in the past, like against Lyndon Arthur, so he fits the profile of a guy who makes Whittaker look good without providing a genuine threat.

Matchroom is essentially using the same playbook they criticized Ben Shalom for using. Matchroom likely paid a massive signing bonus or guaranteed huge purses to get him away from Boxxer. They can’t afford for him to lose before they’ve made their money back through ticket sales and DAZN subscriptions.

Whittaker’s value is in his viral clips and his look. Hardcore boxing fans want to see him fight Buatsi or Morrell, but Matchroom knows casual fans just want to see him do his dance and get a highlight-reel knockout.

By calling it a “controlled rebuild,” Frank Smith is essentially admitting that they aren’t ready to find out how good Whittaker actually is. They’d rather have a “global superstar” on paper than a world champion who might lose on his way up. A global superstar on paper is the boxing equivalent of a paper champion.

[joshj909]

Basically, they want him to trend on tiktok by effectively dancing mid-fight against cans. Embarrassing promotional tactics really. Blatantly putting the sport second and going trending on social media first. Hearn's not having his best years at the moment, it would be interesting to know what their profits have been like the past few years in comparison to well before that.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Basically, they want him to trend on tiktok by effectively dancing mid-fight against cans. Embarrassing promotional tactics really. Blatantly putting the sport second and going trending on social media first. Hearn's not having his best years at the moment, it would be interesting to know what their profits have been like the past few years in comparison to well before that.

They wanna build him into a global superstar..

But even then, we need to see him in big fights. It would be helpful if he was actually good and tested properly.

Otherwise, sign for the WWE or something.

[Taansend]

We need to see him with a name we recognise next.

Doesn't even matter if they're any good or still active, just someone we know.

Is Prograis available?

[Ruthless-RKO]

We need to see him with a name we recognise next.

Doesn't even matter if they're any good or still active, just someone we know.

Is Prograis available?

Ye retired, but he’s like 30 pounds below. Haha

They should match him with these fringe level LHW’s. Ones that tried but could never make it to the top 10

[tony1234]

Fighting on DAZN won't help his profile, should have gone with Zuffa on SKY

[Taansend]

We need to see him with a name we recognise next.

Doesn't even matter if they're any good or still active, just someone we know.

Is Prograis available?

Ye retired, but he’s like 30 pounds below.

Perfect

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Braian Suarez says the Ben Whittaker hype will be 'all over' on Saturday

Given the hype and all the talk surrounding Ben Whittaker these days, it is probably a good thing that Braian Suarez's grasp of the English language is, at best, limited.

Suarez, of course, will be the next man to fight Whittaker on Saturday in Liverpool and he has travelled all the way from Argentina for the opportunity.

Ahead of the fight, at a pre-fight press conference this afternoon, he spoke mostly in his native tongue, which seemed to confuse Whittaker, for he claimed to have heard Suarez speaking English only yesterday. Yet Suarez, when pressed, admitted that he is “still learning” English and confessed that he didn’t feel comfortable expressing himself in that language in front of the public.

As a result, his words had to be translated. As a result, his message to Whittaker, 10-0-1 (7 KOs), was kept short and simple.

“I think my record speaks for itself,” said Suarez, a light-heavyweight with a 21-4 (20 KOs) professional record. “Theres no need to speculate: I’m an attacking fighter. I’m here to rough up Ben and you’re going to see how that goes down on Saturday.

“As for my comment about him making a big mistake bringing me here, and it being all over for him, you’ll see that I’m true to my word on Saturday. This Saturday I will be walking away with the victory and afterwards I want to be the second Argentinian fighter signed up to Matchroom.”

If Suarez was hamstrung somewhat by his inability to speak English to the English media, Whittaker’s decision to quickly get to the point was perhaps motivated by fatigue. He is, after all, just 24 hours from weighing in and 48 hours from fighting Suarez. He is also a man who has, in a short space of time, already had a lot to say for himself as a professional.

Now, having secured two quick knockout wins last year (a second-round stoppage of Liam Cameron followed by a first-round stoppage of Benjamin Gavazi), the man from Wolverhampton is all business, it would appear.

“They can all talk and say they will do this and do that, but on Saturday we’ll see,” he said to start. “It’s a fight that I liked, a fight that I need, and when fighters come to fight like this, the best Ben Whittaker turns up.

“It’s all about activity, it’s all about getting in the ring, it’s all about presenting myself the way Andy [Lee, coach] sees in the gym. I’m a professional. I’ve had more time [to prepare] and, if anything, it has made me scarier. I’ve had time to work, iron out those little things we needed to iron out, and you’ll see on Saturday.

“All he can do is walk forward with those slow-arse platypus feet and that big-arse Roblox head, and all I’m going to do is go out there, look pretty, look good, listen to my team, and however long it lasts, it lasts.”

Chances are the fight between Whittaker and Suarez will last longer than this afternoon’s final press conference. It will last longer, for one, because Suarez presents a slightly sterner test than Whittaker’s recent opposition, and it will last longer, too, because in the ring both light-heavyweights will be able to converse in the same language.

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Braian Suarez predicts knockout of Ben Whittaker: ‘Nothing is impossible’

Braian Suarez is not intimidated by rising star Ben Whittaker ahead of their Saturday bout at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena.

Suarez, 34 years old and from Argentina, has been drafted in to test Whittaker by his promoter, Matchroom Boxing. Suarez has fought on British shores before, dropping Lyndon Arthur before being stopped himself back in 2023. Whittaker is perhaps Matchroom’s most promising prospect, but he is also 28, and it seems the promoter is looking to step up his standard of opposition sooner rather than later.

“Yeah, we know him, we know he's a great boxer, Ben. No question about it,” Suarez told Boxing Scene. “Olympic [silver medalist] as well. He's got some great qualities. But I, too, have got my own game, my own fight, and I'm hoping to impose myself this weekend.”

Although the 21-4 Suarez has been beaten inside the distance before, he carries 20 wins by knockout to his name.

“Yeah, of course that's a goal,” Suarez said of a potential stoppage against the 10-0-1 Whittaker. “He's got great results, no question. My record speaks for itself, and Saturday hopefully is going to be another KO from my side. It's going to be a great spectacle for all the audience. I predict a Braian Suarez win by knockout.”

Whittaker has made a name for himself online for his performances and displays of showboating in the ring. He is known for taunting his foe, often with his hands behind his back and while spinning on one leg. This is something Suarez is prepared for.

“It's all part of the preparation,” he said. “We know about these aspects of Ben's game and we're ready for all scenarios. Experience counts for a lot. I'm personally not interested in the showboating aspects – it's really just about my own performance. I'll be focused on myself.”

Perhaps the only hiccup of Whittaker’s career so far was during his first contest with Liam Cameron back in 2024. Cameron pushed the pace against Whittaker, who seemed to struggle. Whittaker then withdrew because of an injury, and the bout was called a draw.

“Yeah, we know Liam Cameron put in a great combat in his fight with Ben, but it's not just that one aspect, the tempo of the game,” Suarez said. “I've got my own skills. We've analyzed Ben in depth, we know it's going to be a difficult fight, no question. But nothing's impossible and I'm hoping to impose my fight plan on him.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ben Whittaker weighs more than 180lbs for battle with Braian Suarez

Ben Whittaker and Braian Suarez both came in above the light-heavyweight limit ahead of tomorrow's non-title 10-rounder that tops Matchroom Boxing's depleted Liverpool Arena show in Liverpool, England.

Big favorite and Olympic silver medalist Whitaker weighed a career-heaviest 182lbs 14oz compared to 180lbs for Suarez

"You can see the shape I'm in, we've been working good," said Whitaker.

"When the fighters come to fight, that's when you see the best in Ben Whittaker. [Surarez] is game and he's coming to win, so you'll see something special."

Whittaker, 10-0-1 (7 KOs), stepped up to headline status on the bill when Callum Smith was forced out of his battle with David Morrell with injury. No serious thought was given to throwing the 28-year-old Whittaker, who will be making his second appearance as a Matchroom fighter after switching from Boxxer, in with the accomplished Cuban.

Suarez, 21-4 (20 KOs), is noted puncher who has somewhat unsurprisingly promised to knock out Whittaker. But on his previous visit to England, the Argentinian was knocked out himself, though he did drop Lyndon Arthur before being counted out in the 10th round in 2023. That is the most noteworthy rival the 34-year-old has thus far faced.

Also on the bill is a 10-rounder for the Central Area super bantamweight title between two unbeaten fighters. Joe McGrail, 12-0 (5 KOs), will start as favorite and weighed 120lbs 14oz whereas the 10-0 (2 KOs) Aaron Hayden came in at 120lbs 15oz.

Rising attraction, the 3-0 Molly McCann, weighed 121lbs 7oz for her bout with Ashleigh Johnson, 3-3 and 120lbs 15oz.

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Full Weights

Tom Rafferty (163.3lbs) vs Pablo Sosa (162lbs)
6×3 Super Middleweight Contest

Sam Norris (132.8lbs) vs Jahfieus Faure (132.5lbs)
4×3 Super Featherweight Contest

Jack Power (161.7lbs) vs Novak Radulovic (161.6lbs)
6×3 Middleweight Contest

Ste Clarke (161.8lbs) vs Luis Enrique Montelongo (160.10lbs)
8×3 Middleweight Contest

Leo Atang (238.1lbs) vs Viktar Chvarkou (217.11lbs)
6×3 Heavyweight Contest

Joe McGrail (121.14lbs) vs Aaron Hayden (120.15lbs)
10×3 Central Area & WBA Continental Gold Super Bantamweight Title

Molly McCann (121.7lbs) vs Ashleigh Johnson (120.15lbs)
8×2 Super Bantamweight Contest

Ben Whittaker (182.14lbs) vs Braian Suarez (182.1lbs)
10×3 Light Heavyweight Contest

[JC]

Ben 'Off-the-boil' Whittaker.

But probably only one decent win or highlight reel KO away from people being interested again.

[JamesPhilips]

Has Suarez got a small chance? Or no?