BoxRec

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑21 Mar 2026, 14:56 everyone slags off TBA but he's the most active pro on the circuit out some respect on his name.

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑21 Mar 2026, 14:56 everyone slags off TBA but he's the most active pro on the circuit out some respect on his name.

Respect? He's always scheduled to fight multiple guys and yet never steps in the ring. The fella is the king of the pullout.

EDIT: That's what she said.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑22 Mar 2026, 14:21

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑21 Mar 2026, 14:56 everyone slags off TBA but he's the most active pro on the circuit out some respect on his name.

Respect? He's always scheduled to fight multiple guys and yet never steps in the ring. The fella is the king of the pullout.

EDIT: That's what she said.

I see what you did there….

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑24 Mar 2026, 15:12

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑22 Mar 2026, 14:21

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑21 Mar 2026, 14:56 everyone slags off TBA but he's the most active pro on the circuit out some respect on his name.

Respect? He's always scheduled to fight multiple guys and yet never steps in the ring. The fella is the king of the pullout.

EDIT: That's what she said.

I see what you did there….

That's what she said.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑24 Mar 2026, 15:46

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑24 Mar 2026, 15:12

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑22 Mar 2026, 14:21

Respect? He's always scheduled to fight multiple guys and yet never steps in the ring. The fella is the king of the pullout.

EDIT: That's what she said.

I see what you did there….

That's what she said.

This thread could run and run

What’s Next For Ben Whittaker?

Ben Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 KOs) has a two-fight roadmap that will see him headline in the UK before making his US debut.

Having signed a long-term deal with Eddie Hearn in October 2025, the light-heavyweight has only boxed once under the promotion. That was a first-round stoppage win against Benjamin Gavazi last November. Whittaker will first return to the ring on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on the undercard of Callum Smith vs. David Morrell.

While Matchroom has confirmed the date, the opponent remains “TBA.” Immediately following the Liverpool bout, Whittaker will head to the United States for his first professional fight on American soil. Whittaker’s US debut is now targeted for June 2026. He is expected to serve as the co-main event for a Jaron Ennis fight, likely in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Following his Matchroom deal, Whittaker made it clear that his plan is to become a world champion.

Whittaker Reacts

“I’m grateful to Eddie and Frank Smith. All my family have known this is where I always wanted to be. It had to be the right time, but we’re here now, I know all the team here – they are very professional – and I honestly can’t wait to get started. “I remember being shown around [at Matchroom HQ] during Covid at Fight Camp and Eddie said then he wanted to make me a star and make me a champion. It didn’t quite pan out then but we’re here now, with a better haircut than I had back then, and as a better version of me.

“The plan now remains as what it was back then. Of course, my popularity has grown and my profile has got bigger. But I think with Eddie [Hearn] and Matchroom Boxing, I will become even more of a household name and one day become a World Champion. “I’m ranked well with both the IBF and WBC, so that was another reason why I wanted to come on board with Matchroom because I believe they will help navigate my path towards winning those belts at the right time. And that’s what I’m here for,” Whittaker said

Ben Whittaker vs. Zak Chelli ruled out... for now

Promoter Eddie Hearn believes light-heavyweight contender Ben Whittaker will be able to use his US debut next month to springboard him to bigger things.

Whittaker has had just one fight since leaving Boxxer and joining Matchroom, defeating Braian Suarez in a round in Liverpool last month.

On June 27, on the Xander Zayas-Jaron Ennis bill in Brooklyn, New York, at the Barclays Center, Whittaker faces the 27-2 (20 KOs) Richard Rivera, who fights out of Hartford, Connecticut.

“I just think it’ll be a great experience,” said Hearn.

“I think one thing that people aren’t necessarily absorbing is how good Ben Whittaker is and how much he’s improving. Because I think people just think he’s rolling through people. But the Suarez win was a really good win, especially in that fashion. And this fight against Rivera is not an easy fight. He [Rivera]’s a decent, decent fighter. And I think that whole week, that whole build-up, the ring walk, the swag, everything, it’s going to grab everyone's attention. You've got Emiliano Vargas and Ben Whittaker on that card. It’s really like two of the hottest young stars coming through the respective markets. I think it’s going to be a big moment for him. And after this, he’ll be back around October time, headlining in Birmingham.”

Hearn, of course, is thinking beyond one fight at a time for the Olympic silver medallist.

And after Zak Chelli’s underdog stoppage win over David Morrell last week, some have linked Chelli to a future fight with Whittaker.

Asked whether that was a fight that interested Hearn, the promoter said: “It wasn’t.”

“But I guess you have to put Zak in the mix for all those fights. He's done brilliantly well.

“And he’s going to want big fights. I think it’ll be interesting to deal with Zak and the old man, who’s a great character as well. And they’ll probably want about 10 million quid.

“But he’s earned his right to be in a big fight next.”

Morrell was rattled in the ninth and stopped in the 10th by the unfancied Englishman. The Cuban had been due to face Callum Smith in April but Smith was injured in the build-up and Morrell was paired with Chelli a few weeks later.

“How many times have we seen a fighter who was in a big fight, that fighter pulls out, and then you have a couple of weeks off training, your head’s gone,” Hearn explained.

“Then you get told you’re fighting in two weeks. But he was winning every round until he got slightly buzzed in the ninth, and then pole-axed in the 10th. I couldn't believe it. I mean, fair play to Zak Chelli.”

'hottest young stars'

lmao this guy is nearly 30 and still a prospect, when will they stop with this baby food nonsense

he is older than guys like haney, shakur, bam who have all been in p4p lists already for years. and he is just months apart from david benavidez.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑19 May 2026, 13:14 'hottest young stars'

lmao this guy is nearly 30 and still a prospect, when will they stop with this baby food nonsense

he is older than guys like haney, shakur, bam who have all been in p4p lists already for years. and he is just months apart from david benavidez.

Delayed Man Strength Syndrome claims another victim

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑19 May 2026, 13:14 'hottest young stars'

lmao this guy is nearly 30 and still a prospect, when will they stop with this baby food nonsense

he is older than guys like haney, shakur, bam who have all been in p4p lists already for years. and he is just months apart from david benavidez.

Maybe have him vs Hughie Fury.

Battle of the 35 year old babbies.

Maybe have Danny Williams’s zimmer frame clad private school kids as special guests.

Actions speak louder than words and Eddie’s matchmaking tells the real story.

Whittaker will get found out.
Eddie willl find it hard if its Bradus Kraus

Spud MK2 wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 12:34 Whittaker will get found out.
Eddie willl find it hard if its Bradus Kraus

I don’t think they’ll put him anywhere near Kraus

I want to see the Whittaker-Willie Hutch fight before he's found out though

golden_labrador wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 15:01 I want to see the Whittaker-Willie Hutch fight before he's found out though

I think Willie beats him.

I’m so immature that made me laugh. I’m bloody 42 at the end of the month…

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 15:04

golden_labrador wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 15:01 I want to see the Whittaker-Willie Hutch fight before he's found out though

I think Willie beats him.

I’m so immature that made me laugh. I’m bloody 42 at the end of the month…

Spud MK2 wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 12:34 Whittaker will get found out.
Eddie willl find it hard if its Bradus Kraus

Ah spud you on the Gradus train now I see lol

jonp wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 04:37

Spud MK2 wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 12:34 Whittaker will get found out.
Eddie willl find it hard if its Bradus Kraus

Ah spud you on the Gradus train now I see lol

Hello jon

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 14:46

Spud MK2 wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 12:34 Whittaker will get found out.
Eddie willl find it hard if its Bradus Kraus

I don’t think they’ll put him anywhere near Kraus

I wouldn't be surprised to see Gradus Kraus signing with Matchroom the same as Whittaker did

johnmanchester wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 07:09

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 14:46

Spud MK2 wrote: ↑22 May 2026, 12:34 Whittaker will get found out.
Eddie willl find it hard if its Bradus Kraus

I don’t think they’ll put him anywhere near Kraus

I wouldn't be surprised to see Gradus Kraus signing with Matchroom the same as Whittaker did

Possibly he’s marketable too