Gavin Gwynne: Ben Davison Knows How Good I Am, All Wrong For Cameron Vuong
Gavin Gwynne has spent 12 long months waiting to get Cameron Vuong back in the ring.
In November 2024, the 35-year-old former British, Commonwealth and European lightweight champion was handpicked as the man to take the talented but inexperienced Vuong to the next level.
After 10 hard fought rounds, the judges preferred Vuong’s boxing and eye-catching bursts to Gwynne’s relentless pressure and awarded the younger man a highly controversial unanimous decision.
The majority of observers believed that Gwynne had done more than enough to win the 139-pound catchweight fight.
On November 29, Gwynne gets the rematch he has campaigned for from the moment Vuong’s hand was raised. The fight will again take place over 10 rounds but this time the two will meet at 135-pounds. DAZN will broadcast the action from the NEC in Birmingham.
Since the fight, Gwynne (18-4-1, 5 KOs) has continued to tick over with his trainer, Gary Lockett, and notched up a routine six-round win in August but had to go back to work as a scaffolder while waiting for the call to come.
Believing he needed to freshen up his approach after stopping another long-time rival, Jordan Flynn, earlier this year, 23-year-old Vuong (9-0, 4 KOs) left Jamie Moore’s gym in Manchester and moved his operations south to the Ben Davison Performance Centre in Essex.
"Ben Davison knows and rates me," Gwynne told The Ring.
"I know he rates me because he always asks me to go up there and spar. I went up there and sparred just before I fought Cameron. I sparred with Royston Barney-Smith, a very good fighter and I rate him highly. He's seen me spar with him.
"Ben Davison knows how good I am. Let's just put it that way. He knows Cameron's gotta be 100% to beat me."
Although it would be a major surprise if either man made wholesale changes to their style, Davison's involvement does add an interesting dynamic to the high-stakes rematch.
Seeing Gwynne track down and work out a slick fighter like Barney-Smith may have given the analytical Davison an invaluable insight into the way Gwynne goes about his work but the Welshman is putting far more stock in the 10 rounds spent in the ring with Vuong.
He believes that any pre-fight tactics or plans will go out of the window once Vuong realises that he has another long, gruelling night ahead of him.
"I'm the type of fighter to give him hell seven days a week," Gwynne continued.
"I think I'm all wrong for Cameron, the type of fighter I am. I don't think he can fight someone like me. I’ve got that never give up, never die attitude sort of thing and I'll just keep trying until that bell rings."
Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
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Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Eddie Hearn: Clashing with Ben Whittaker is ‘no good for Boxxer’
Eddie Hearn doesn’t believe that Boxxer rearranged Frazer Clarke-Jeamie Tshikeva in a deliberate attempt to clash with the fight between Ben Whittaker and Benjamin Gavazi on Saturday night.
Whittaker, previously so valuable to Boxxer, fights for the first time since signing promotional terms with Matchroom when he confronts Germany’s Gavazi at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England, so close to his hometown of West Bromwich.
Also on Saturday, at Vaillant Live in nearby Derby, Clarke and “TKV” Tshikeva contest the vacant British heavyweight title in the main event of Boxxer’s first date of their broadcast agreement with the BBC.
Clarke-Tshikeva had previously been scheduled for October 25, when DAZN – the broadcaster of Boxxer’s leading promotional rivals Queensberry Promotions and Matchroom – were overseeing Queensberry’s heavyweight contest between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley, until an injury suffered by Tshikeva forced its postponement until Saturday.
Queensberry’s allegedly had been critical of them for selecting October 25 for their launch date, and while Hearn has so far refused to be similarly critical, the promoter explained that he does not believe that Boxxer have since chosen November 29 because of how disruptive to Boxxer’s ambitions clashing with the 28-year-old Whittaker could potentially be.
“A lot of people have accused Boxxer of deliberately changing the event to this date to try and take the shine off Ben Whittaker,” Hearn told BS. “I don’t buy that. I think there was an injury – ‘TKV’ wasn’t ready – and sometimes the only date that you can do with the venue or whatever it is is a specific date. I don’t think it was done out of spite, because you just wouldn’t want to clash with Ben Whittaker anyway – it’s no good for them.
“Because it’s Whittaker, and I can’t say it’s not a clash, because obviously it is a clash, but it’s not something I’m particularly concerned about because of the audience and noise of Ben Whittaker. The plans that we’ve got for the event; the ring walk… We’re going O-T-T on the show, and I just think people are going to tune in for him.
“It’ll be to the detriment of everyone. The reality is the beauty of the BBC deal is you will get a lot more of a casual fight fan, who might not even realise who these people are, or what they’re watching, but they will tune in, because some people do sit at home and flick through BBC One and BBC Two, and these kinds of channels – especially the older generation. But fight fans will choose the best product.
“If you look at Boxxer clashing with Wardley-Parker, with all due respect to Clarke against TKV, as a fight fan you’re going to choose Wardley-Parker all day long. It’s not even my fight. But it’s the truth. Again, with the Whittaker show and the undercard and everything that comes with it, you’re going to choose that as well, so I don’t think we’re gonna lose any of our audience. Where I think they’ve been a little bit naive is they need that boxing audience as well, and obviously if it’s a free night – as in no other clashes – the boxing audience is automatically going to be available to them. Now they’re going to lose that boxing audience because they’re going to watch a better show.”
Before Whittaker’s light-heavyweight fight with the 30-year-old Gavazi, the Britons Cameron Vuong and Gavin Gwynne contest their rematch at 140lbs.
Regardless of their respective undercards, however, and partly on account of Matchroom also promoting beyond the UK, Hearn – who on January 24 in Las Vegas promotes the appealing IBF lightweight title fight between Raymond Muratalla and Andy Cruz – has become resigned to similar clashes in other territories. He also doesn’t believe, unlike Warren has previously said, that the coming clash is the fault of the BBC.
“The good thing about DAZN now, especially with Queensberry being on the same platform, is we’ll never clash with Queensberry again, and we clashed for years and years,” he said. “I can honestly say the only clash that I ever had that was even remotely tactical was [Josh] Warrington against [in 2018, Carl] Frampton, and [Derek] Chisora-[Dillian] Whyte.
“When I say it was ‘tactical’, it was never tactical, but it got to the point where that was the only date we could do, and it was like, ‘You’re up against Warrington and Frampton’. ‘No, we actually think we’ll do better, so we’ll go on that night’. But that was back when rivalry was fierce. Every other clash I’ve ever done – I never liked to do it. We get it in America a lot. The schedule – January 24 is going to be a particularly good show for us. [Manny] Pacquiao’s going the same night. Or rumoured to [be]. We’ve had that date locked in with a venue. You’ve then either gotta move it or go, ‘No, actually, it is what it is’. It’s difficult sometimes.
“[It’s] definitely not the BBC. I don’t think the BBC, with all due respect, really have an understanding or a strategy yet in boxing. They’ve been presented with an opportunity to host boxing. We all know, BBC – great platform. The problem is they’re not going to spend any money, so you’re always limited. If you look at the undercard for that fight – TKV – there isn’t really an undercard. But that’s not their fault – it’s just that the rights’ fees don’t exist, so you’re always going to be under-served in terms of the product versus the competition, but you do have good viewership.
“But the problem is you need the money to make the fights and to service your fighters, unless you’re prepared to drop down a level of quality within your product – which would still work, because the BBC haven’t been asking for deep undercards and ‘We want this and we want that’. They’re just saying ‘British heavyweight title fight? That’s perfect for us’, and it is in a way, so I think that partnership [with Boxxer] can work.”
Eddie Hearn doesn’t believe that Boxxer rearranged Frazer Clarke-Jeamie Tshikeva in a deliberate attempt to clash with the fight between Ben Whittaker and Benjamin Gavazi on Saturday night.
Whittaker, previously so valuable to Boxxer, fights for the first time since signing promotional terms with Matchroom when he confronts Germany’s Gavazi at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England, so close to his hometown of West Bromwich.
Also on Saturday, at Vaillant Live in nearby Derby, Clarke and “TKV” Tshikeva contest the vacant British heavyweight title in the main event of Boxxer’s first date of their broadcast agreement with the BBC.
Clarke-Tshikeva had previously been scheduled for October 25, when DAZN – the broadcaster of Boxxer’s leading promotional rivals Queensberry Promotions and Matchroom – were overseeing Queensberry’s heavyweight contest between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley, until an injury suffered by Tshikeva forced its postponement until Saturday.
Queensberry’s allegedly had been critical of them for selecting October 25 for their launch date, and while Hearn has so far refused to be similarly critical, the promoter explained that he does not believe that Boxxer have since chosen November 29 because of how disruptive to Boxxer’s ambitions clashing with the 28-year-old Whittaker could potentially be.
“A lot of people have accused Boxxer of deliberately changing the event to this date to try and take the shine off Ben Whittaker,” Hearn told BS. “I don’t buy that. I think there was an injury – ‘TKV’ wasn’t ready – and sometimes the only date that you can do with the venue or whatever it is is a specific date. I don’t think it was done out of spite, because you just wouldn’t want to clash with Ben Whittaker anyway – it’s no good for them.
“Because it’s Whittaker, and I can’t say it’s not a clash, because obviously it is a clash, but it’s not something I’m particularly concerned about because of the audience and noise of Ben Whittaker. The plans that we’ve got for the event; the ring walk… We’re going O-T-T on the show, and I just think people are going to tune in for him.
“It’ll be to the detriment of everyone. The reality is the beauty of the BBC deal is you will get a lot more of a casual fight fan, who might not even realise who these people are, or what they’re watching, but they will tune in, because some people do sit at home and flick through BBC One and BBC Two, and these kinds of channels – especially the older generation. But fight fans will choose the best product.
“If you look at Boxxer clashing with Wardley-Parker, with all due respect to Clarke against TKV, as a fight fan you’re going to choose Wardley-Parker all day long. It’s not even my fight. But it’s the truth. Again, with the Whittaker show and the undercard and everything that comes with it, you’re going to choose that as well, so I don’t think we’re gonna lose any of our audience. Where I think they’ve been a little bit naive is they need that boxing audience as well, and obviously if it’s a free night – as in no other clashes – the boxing audience is automatically going to be available to them. Now they’re going to lose that boxing audience because they’re going to watch a better show.”
Before Whittaker’s light-heavyweight fight with the 30-year-old Gavazi, the Britons Cameron Vuong and Gavin Gwynne contest their rematch at 140lbs.
Regardless of their respective undercards, however, and partly on account of Matchroom also promoting beyond the UK, Hearn – who on January 24 in Las Vegas promotes the appealing IBF lightweight title fight between Raymond Muratalla and Andy Cruz – has become resigned to similar clashes in other territories. He also doesn’t believe, unlike Warren has previously said, that the coming clash is the fault of the BBC.
“The good thing about DAZN now, especially with Queensberry being on the same platform, is we’ll never clash with Queensberry again, and we clashed for years and years,” he said. “I can honestly say the only clash that I ever had that was even remotely tactical was [Josh] Warrington against [in 2018, Carl] Frampton, and [Derek] Chisora-[Dillian] Whyte.
“When I say it was ‘tactical’, it was never tactical, but it got to the point where that was the only date we could do, and it was like, ‘You’re up against Warrington and Frampton’. ‘No, we actually think we’ll do better, so we’ll go on that night’. But that was back when rivalry was fierce. Every other clash I’ve ever done – I never liked to do it. We get it in America a lot. The schedule – January 24 is going to be a particularly good show for us. [Manny] Pacquiao’s going the same night. Or rumoured to [be]. We’ve had that date locked in with a venue. You’ve then either gotta move it or go, ‘No, actually, it is what it is’. It’s difficult sometimes.
“[It’s] definitely not the BBC. I don’t think the BBC, with all due respect, really have an understanding or a strategy yet in boxing. They’ve been presented with an opportunity to host boxing. We all know, BBC – great platform. The problem is they’re not going to spend any money, so you’re always limited. If you look at the undercard for that fight – TKV – there isn’t really an undercard. But that’s not their fault – it’s just that the rights’ fees don’t exist, so you’re always going to be under-served in terms of the product versus the competition, but you do have good viewership.
“But the problem is you need the money to make the fights and to service your fighters, unless you’re prepared to drop down a level of quality within your product – which would still work, because the BBC haven’t been asking for deep undercards and ‘We want this and we want that’. They’re just saying ‘British heavyweight title fight? That’s perfect for us’, and it is in a way, so I think that partnership [with Boxxer] can work.”
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Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
How Ben Whittaker pulled his career back from the brink after Andy Lee link-up
As 2024 drew to a close, Ben Whittaker is not ashamed to admit he was starting to lose his grip on reality.
The Olympic silver medalist’s reputation had taken a hit that October due to his role in the controversial first fight with Liam Cameron, who had labelled him 'Ben Quittaker' in the aftermath. It was a nickname that was starting to stick.
The pair had tumbled over the top rope of the ring in the centre of Kingdom Arena after five surprisingly competitive rounds in the outskirts of Riyadh. Whittaker had been expected to make reasonably straightforward work of Sheffield Cinderella Man Cameron but he looked on the verge of coming unstuck as their 10-rounder wore on.
Whittaker appeared to haul them both over the ropes and onto the floor as the fifth drew to a close and he was then unable to emerge for the sixth due to the injuries he sustained. Suddenly, the undefeated rising star of the light-heavyweight division needed a rebuild.
On the ground in Riyadh that night working for DAZN was Andy Lee, who instantly recognised a fighter in need of help and the Dublin-based trainer eventually decided to reach out to the 28-year-old.
“A lot of people were coming out of the woodwork,” Whittaker says ambiguously of that time. “They were saying ‘Ben’s this, Ben’s that’.
“And with someone like Andy, to get his time is a precious thing at the moment because everyone is trying to go there and train with him. But he actually messaged me.
“He said ‘alright Ben, I know you’re going through a lot right now, I would love you to come to Ireland, you’ve got the talent, the door’s open’. I thought I had to jump at the chance.”
Before then, the first two years of Whittaker’s professional career had been spent working with two different coaches. First it was Sugar Hill Steward, incidentally a close friend and former coach of Lee, and then his own godfather Joby Clayton, the man who introduced him to boxing in the first place. Neither had worked.
On Clayton specifically, he explained: “We still talk, he’s my godfather and I’ve been with him since when I started. He's the first person to give me a pair of gloves, I respect things like that but for me, boxing is a selfish sport and if the opportunity is there to get better you need to go there. He's taken me to a certain point, a great point, an Olympic medal but to get to the next level, brought someone who's been a pro, was a world champion and got a good stable.”
But it was not just the boxing that Whittaker was struggling to maximise. As one of the country’s most promising young fighters, who turned professional boasting that silver medal, he had been instantly thrust underneath the spotlight. His antics inside the ring and penchant for showboating had also marked him out as one to watch, whether you liked him or loathed him.
“I was in a position where everything was happening at once,” Whittaker explains. “Money, fame, there were lights and cameras. It was a bit too much to be honest.
“I used to be able to go to my Asda and get milk for my mum but if I go in there now I'm getting bombarded, I just thought ‘this is crazy’ and you get lost in it. That’s probably what happened in the first Cameron fight, I just went there [to Riyadh], I was shopping, I was going crazy, it brought me back to earth. Now I’ve gone from places like that to Dublin, where nobody knows me.”
Following their Instagram exchanges, Whittaker and Lee linked up officially in March and kicked off their first camp together ahead of his April rematch with Cameron. After struggling so badly in October, Whittaker dismantled Cameron inside two rounds.
“I love it because that’s switched me back on,” says Whittaker of the new set-up. “It showed in the second fight when I took it seriously what I can do.”
The second outing of their working relationship takes place this Saturday at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, where Whittaker tops the bill against Benjamin Gavazi in his first fight since signing promotional terms with Matchroom.
Whittaker had been with Boxxer since turning professional but his departure means he will not be boxing on the BBC. Instead, he believes he is ready to become a cornerstone of DAZN’s output both at home and overseas.
“I love fighting in England,” he says. “We’ve got the best fans here. I get a lot of stick but I love it.
“But I’ve got a good US fanbase too and, weirdly, some of my biggest followings are Japan and Brazil. Eddie [Hearn] can take me to those weird places you’d never get to go. It was an eye-opener because I can dabble in America and elsewhere. Fighting in the UK is nice but it would get a bit boring if you got the opportunity to go elsewhere.
“Luckily, my social media shows your ratings of where your followers are from. An old fighter Popo [Acelino Freitas], who won the WBO world title, posted me on his Instagram and it went crazy. I was just playing around, put a Vinicius Jr top on and now they think I’m Brazilian. I’m like ‘here we go’.”
Despite a decent record and superior experience, Gavazi (19-1, 13 KOs) starts as a significant underdog on Saturday night. The combination of Whittaker and Lee is widely expected to be a fruitful one but only because the 28-year-old ‘Surgeon’ has got his mind right after his toils in late 2024.
Cameron, for his part, says he will always have a place in his heart for Whittaker given how much their two-fight series earned him. For Whittaker, the impact of their rivalry was more profound - and there are certainly no hard feelings.
“After I won, I could have been nasty or posted things,” he says. “But we’ve had private talks on Instagram. I told him if he ever wants to come down and spar then he’s welcome.
“I’m not a nasty person and even though it was a hard time, it made me a better fighter. If it didn't happen there, it could've gone down the line and I could've got hurt even more. That little bump in the road made me realise boxing is serious and you can't mess around.”
As 2024 drew to a close, Ben Whittaker is not ashamed to admit he was starting to lose his grip on reality.
The Olympic silver medalist’s reputation had taken a hit that October due to his role in the controversial first fight with Liam Cameron, who had labelled him 'Ben Quittaker' in the aftermath. It was a nickname that was starting to stick.
The pair had tumbled over the top rope of the ring in the centre of Kingdom Arena after five surprisingly competitive rounds in the outskirts of Riyadh. Whittaker had been expected to make reasonably straightforward work of Sheffield Cinderella Man Cameron but he looked on the verge of coming unstuck as their 10-rounder wore on.
Whittaker appeared to haul them both over the ropes and onto the floor as the fifth drew to a close and he was then unable to emerge for the sixth due to the injuries he sustained. Suddenly, the undefeated rising star of the light-heavyweight division needed a rebuild.
On the ground in Riyadh that night working for DAZN was Andy Lee, who instantly recognised a fighter in need of help and the Dublin-based trainer eventually decided to reach out to the 28-year-old.
“A lot of people were coming out of the woodwork,” Whittaker says ambiguously of that time. “They were saying ‘Ben’s this, Ben’s that’.
“And with someone like Andy, to get his time is a precious thing at the moment because everyone is trying to go there and train with him. But he actually messaged me.
“He said ‘alright Ben, I know you’re going through a lot right now, I would love you to come to Ireland, you’ve got the talent, the door’s open’. I thought I had to jump at the chance.”
Before then, the first two years of Whittaker’s professional career had been spent working with two different coaches. First it was Sugar Hill Steward, incidentally a close friend and former coach of Lee, and then his own godfather Joby Clayton, the man who introduced him to boxing in the first place. Neither had worked.
On Clayton specifically, he explained: “We still talk, he’s my godfather and I’ve been with him since when I started. He's the first person to give me a pair of gloves, I respect things like that but for me, boxing is a selfish sport and if the opportunity is there to get better you need to go there. He's taken me to a certain point, a great point, an Olympic medal but to get to the next level, brought someone who's been a pro, was a world champion and got a good stable.”
But it was not just the boxing that Whittaker was struggling to maximise. As one of the country’s most promising young fighters, who turned professional boasting that silver medal, he had been instantly thrust underneath the spotlight. His antics inside the ring and penchant for showboating had also marked him out as one to watch, whether you liked him or loathed him.
“I was in a position where everything was happening at once,” Whittaker explains. “Money, fame, there were lights and cameras. It was a bit too much to be honest.
“I used to be able to go to my Asda and get milk for my mum but if I go in there now I'm getting bombarded, I just thought ‘this is crazy’ and you get lost in it. That’s probably what happened in the first Cameron fight, I just went there [to Riyadh], I was shopping, I was going crazy, it brought me back to earth. Now I’ve gone from places like that to Dublin, where nobody knows me.”
Following their Instagram exchanges, Whittaker and Lee linked up officially in March and kicked off their first camp together ahead of his April rematch with Cameron. After struggling so badly in October, Whittaker dismantled Cameron inside two rounds.
“I love it because that’s switched me back on,” says Whittaker of the new set-up. “It showed in the second fight when I took it seriously what I can do.”
The second outing of their working relationship takes place this Saturday at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, where Whittaker tops the bill against Benjamin Gavazi in his first fight since signing promotional terms with Matchroom.
Whittaker had been with Boxxer since turning professional but his departure means he will not be boxing on the BBC. Instead, he believes he is ready to become a cornerstone of DAZN’s output both at home and overseas.
“I love fighting in England,” he says. “We’ve got the best fans here. I get a lot of stick but I love it.
“But I’ve got a good US fanbase too and, weirdly, some of my biggest followings are Japan and Brazil. Eddie [Hearn] can take me to those weird places you’d never get to go. It was an eye-opener because I can dabble in America and elsewhere. Fighting in the UK is nice but it would get a bit boring if you got the opportunity to go elsewhere.
“Luckily, my social media shows your ratings of where your followers are from. An old fighter Popo [Acelino Freitas], who won the WBO world title, posted me on his Instagram and it went crazy. I was just playing around, put a Vinicius Jr top on and now they think I’m Brazilian. I’m like ‘here we go’.”
Despite a decent record and superior experience, Gavazi (19-1, 13 KOs) starts as a significant underdog on Saturday night. The combination of Whittaker and Lee is widely expected to be a fruitful one but only because the 28-year-old ‘Surgeon’ has got his mind right after his toils in late 2024.
Cameron, for his part, says he will always have a place in his heart for Whittaker given how much their two-fight series earned him. For Whittaker, the impact of their rivalry was more profound - and there are certainly no hard feelings.
“After I won, I could have been nasty or posted things,” he says. “But we’ve had private talks on Instagram. I told him if he ever wants to come down and spar then he’s welcome.
“I’m not a nasty person and even though it was a hard time, it made me a better fighter. If it didn't happen there, it could've gone down the line and I could've got hurt even more. That little bump in the road made me realise boxing is serious and you can't mess around.”
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jamesmcdonnell
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Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
The truth is, Whittaker and his handlers, realise he's nowhere near as good as he thought he was.
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
He's not shown anything yet to justify the hypejamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025, 06:22 The truth is, Whittaker and his handlers, realise he's nowhere near as good as he thought he was.
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jamesmcdonnell
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Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Aside from Fortnite moves.tony1234 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025, 06:40He's not shown anything yet to justify the hypejamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025, 06:22 The truth is, Whittaker and his handlers, realise he's nowhere near as good as he thought he was.
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CaptainSpacerod
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Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
On Buncey’s pod this week Richie Woodhall is full of praise for Ben and says he could see him fighting up at cruiserweight
He obviously knows his stuff does Richie but that’s a bit of an odd one, such a big jump up to CW. Reading between the lines, maybe he’s implying that the talent pool is a bit too deep at 175 for Ben
He obviously knows his stuff does Richie but that’s a bit of an odd one, such a big jump up to CW. Reading between the lines, maybe he’s implying that the talent pool is a bit too deep at 175 for Ben
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mickey1975
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Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Or he's known him since he was a kid, same area, GB and knows he's very tight at the weight.CaptainSpacerod wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025, 07:19 On Buncey’s pod this week Richie Woodhall is full of praise for Ben and says he could see him fighting up at cruiserweight
He obviously knows his stuff does Richie but that’s a bit of an odd one, such a big jump up to CW. Reading between the lines, maybe he’s implying that the talent pool is a bit too deep at 175 for Ben
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 45233
- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Whittaker doesn't appear to have the power to knock the skin of a rice pudding against anyone decent. Unless he's been severely weight drained and is going to become a monster puncher at 175 I don't see him going much farther than he has so far.
He looked great feasting on lower rung fighters, but as soon as he moved up in class a little bit, he came unstuck.
He looked great feasting on lower rung fighters, but as soon as he moved up in class a little bit, he came unstuck.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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CaptainSpacerod
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Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
That makes sense although 25lbs seems a lot of weight to put on and still be able to retain the same skills that make him effective at 175.mickey1975 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025, 07:35Or he's known him since he was a kid, same area, GB and knows he's very tight at the weight.CaptainSpacerod wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025, 07:19 On Buncey’s pod this week Richie Woodhall is full of praise for Ben and says he could see him fighting up at cruiserweight
He obviously knows his stuff does Richie but that’s a bit of an odd one, such a big jump up to CW. Reading between the lines, maybe he’s implying that the talent pool is a bit too deep at 175 for Ben
Tbf Benavidez is making that jump to fight Zurdo so maybe it’s not the problem I envisage it to be
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Ben Whittaker tells Benjamin Gavazi – ‘You’ll see how special I am’
Ben Whittaker has promised to shine in his Matchroom debut against Germany’s Benjamin Gavazi.
Whittaker and Gavazi will meet this Saturday at Birmingham’s bp pulse LIVE for the WBC silver light heavyweight title, earning the winner a top five ranking with the governing body.
“I’m looking good and feeling good, and when you look this good you shine,” said Whittaker at Thursday’s press conference ahead of the contest.
Gavazi was a little more tame than he had been during prior fight week proceedings. The traveling German said in the build up that Whittaker, one of the UK’s growing stars, is not as special as it seems.
“It’s the chance of my life and I will take this chance,” said Gavazi. “I’m ready, it’s the moment of my life. I have nothing to lose, and I’ve come to win.”
Whittaker, 9-0-1 (6 KOs), didn’t take too kindly to the turn in the German’s attitude.
“He’s saying the things you’re supposed to say, it’s all good sitting there and saying, ‘I see nothing special’,” Whittaker said. “You’ll see how special I am Saturday.”
The contest will mark Whittaker’s second under trainer Andy Lee, and the coach is certainly not underestimating the 19-1 (13 KOs) German.
“He’s a challenge and you need that challenge as a fighter,” said Lee. “It’s a fight that we’re taking very seriously. People don’t see the hard work he’s putting in. And when you put that behind the talent, he has all the ingredients to go all the way. I think you’re in for a very good performance on Saturday.”
Gavazi offered little when asked for a prediction by the promoter of the event, Eddie Hearn, but Whittaker was happy to offer his thoughts.
“I’m just going to look sexy and beat him down,” said Whittaker.
“He’s saying the things you’re supposed to say, it’s all good sitting there and saying, “I see nothing special,” you’ll see how special I am Saturday.”
Ben Whittaker has promised to shine in his Matchroom debut against Germany’s Benjamin Gavazi.
Whittaker and Gavazi will meet this Saturday at Birmingham’s bp pulse LIVE for the WBC silver light heavyweight title, earning the winner a top five ranking with the governing body.
“I’m looking good and feeling good, and when you look this good you shine,” said Whittaker at Thursday’s press conference ahead of the contest.
Gavazi was a little more tame than he had been during prior fight week proceedings. The traveling German said in the build up that Whittaker, one of the UK’s growing stars, is not as special as it seems.
“It’s the chance of my life and I will take this chance,” said Gavazi. “I’m ready, it’s the moment of my life. I have nothing to lose, and I’ve come to win.”
Whittaker, 9-0-1 (6 KOs), didn’t take too kindly to the turn in the German’s attitude.
“He’s saying the things you’re supposed to say, it’s all good sitting there and saying, ‘I see nothing special’,” Whittaker said. “You’ll see how special I am Saturday.”
The contest will mark Whittaker’s second under trainer Andy Lee, and the coach is certainly not underestimating the 19-1 (13 KOs) German.
“He’s a challenge and you need that challenge as a fighter,” said Lee. “It’s a fight that we’re taking very seriously. People don’t see the hard work he’s putting in. And when you put that behind the talent, he has all the ingredients to go all the way. I think you’re in for a very good performance on Saturday.”
Gavazi offered little when asked for a prediction by the promoter of the event, Eddie Hearn, but Whittaker was happy to offer his thoughts.
“I’m just going to look sexy and beat him down,” said Whittaker.
“He’s saying the things you’re supposed to say, it’s all good sitting there and saying, “I see nothing special,” you’ll see how special I am Saturday.”
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MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Funny listening to Eddie trying to put a positive spin on his show clashing with the BBC.
Straight faced Insisting boxing fans will rather pay to watch his DAZN show than watch the Brit heavy title fight on prime-time Saturday night BBC.
I’d say Ben has played a blinder here, absolutely pulling the carpet out from under Frank and Eddie’s feet with a surprise twist in the tale, especially as the Saudi money is reportedly running out for the two sandbag salesman.
And I think we’ve already seen what will happen when Ben Whitaker steps up again and gets manhandled and bullied.
Straight faced Insisting boxing fans will rather pay to watch his DAZN show than watch the Brit heavy title fight on prime-time Saturday night BBC.
I’d say Ben has played a blinder here, absolutely pulling the carpet out from under Frank and Eddie’s feet with a surprise twist in the tale, especially as the Saudi money is reportedly running out for the two sandbag salesman.
And I think we’ve already seen what will happen when Ben Whitaker steps up again and gets manhandled and bullied.
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JamesPhilips
- Super Bantamweight
- Posts: 6532
- Joined: 19 Mar 2021, 06:43
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Has Gavazi any chance? I mean I just don’t rate Whittaker at world level
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Not sure if I was kidding myself or what, but from watching the highlights of Gavazi’s fight against Malenica, he seems like he could be a busier, slightly more polished version of Liam Cameron.
I could be miles off, of course. But Gavazi doesn’t look half bad to me.
I could be miles off, of course. But Gavazi doesn’t look half bad to me.
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keithmoonhangover
- Cruiserweight
- Posts: 17005
- Joined: 16 Sep 2010, 10:42
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Not much chance IMO. You don't need to rate Whittaker at world level, because he's nowhere near it..... yet.JamesPhilips wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025, 13:35 Has Gavazi any chance? I mean I just don’t rate Whittaker at world level
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handsofstone
- Cruiserweight
- Posts: 23165
- Joined: 11 Jan 2011, 17:28
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Didn't like the stoppage in the Cameron rematch but Whittaker looked alright tbf to him, that first fight still lingers though, wouldn't be surprised if he built up a decent fan base along the way though, him and Eddie should do good things together before his hearts called upon next time
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
All the publicity on Saturday will be for the BBC show , it's a big deal boxing back on a prime time Saturday slot free to view . I doubt the Whittaker fight will barely get a mentionMightyWarrior wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025, 13:30 Funny listening to Eddie trying to put a positive spin on his show clashing with the BBC.
Straight faced Insisting boxing fans will rather pay to watch his DAZN show than watch the Brit heavy title fight on prime-time Saturday night BBC.
I’d say Ben has played a blinder here, absolutely pulling the carpet out from under Frank and Eddie’s feet with a surprise twist in the tale, especially as the Saudi money is reportedly running out for the two sandbag salesman.
And I think we’ve already seen what will happen when Ben Whitaker steps up again and gets manhandled and bullied.
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big lennox
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 2550
- Joined: 06 Feb 2004, 13:44
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2026
I'm not sold either. Happy to be proved wrong, but not currently buying what they are selling.
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Except you were trying to mug paying subscribers for PPV for a fight that wasn't worth the expense. They'll never release the PPV numbers for that fight, I'd assume they were shocking.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025, 04:31 Eddie Hearn: Clashing with Ben Whittaker is ‘no good for Boxxer’
“If you look at Boxxer clashing with Wardley-Parker, with all due respect to Clarke against TKV, as a fight fan you’re going to choose Wardley-Parker all day long."
I'm a subscriber but I'll watch the BBC live and Whitakker on catch-up.
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 102915
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Ben Whittaker: ‘I’m not far off facing David Benavidez’
Ben Whittaker believes he is not far away from facing David Benavidez at the top of the light heavyweight division.
First Whittaker, 9-0-1 (6 KOs), will take on Germany’s Benjamin Gavazi for the WBC silver title, with a win likely to elevate him into the top five with the governing body, and one step closer to current champion Benavidez.
The Mexican-American defended his WBC belt last Saturday (November 22) against Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Benavidez was too much for Yarde, who struggled to deal with Benavidez’s power and pressure, with the referee calling a halt to the contest after seven one-sided rounds.
“It was a good fight, fair play to Anthony Yarde for taking the fight but, man, it was a bit of a beatdown,” Whittaker told BS. “But like I said, not many people are jumping up to that level and asking for those fights, fair play to Yarde. He's done it three times now against three of the hardest if anything, so you've got to give him his respect, his dues, but I think there was a big gap in levels in there.”
Whittaker is one of the UK’s – and maybe the sport’s – rapidly growing stars, and after Benavidez’s beat down on Yarde, and Joshua Buatsi’s lackluster showing against Zach Parker last month, could be considered a favorite going against his domestic rivals. The 28 year old Whittaker was asked for his thoughts on a future contest against Yarde after his defeat.
“Maybe so, maybe so, there could be a passing of the torch fight, something like that,” he replied. “I'm 28, I think he's like 34, something like that, so who knows how many fights he's got left, but if timelines align, I think that would be a good one to do. But I'm sure people want to see him in with Buatsi and stuff like that. After a tough fight like that, how much has he got left? But it's down to him really where he wants to go, and it's down to me where I want to go.”
Whittaker is rarely found short on confidence when talking of fights against the big names in the division, and that continued when talk turned to Benavidez, whom he is pushing towards with the WBC.
He was asked how far off he is from challenging the 31-0 (25 KOs) Benavidez and replied: “Not far at all really, skill-wise I'm there now, but it's experience that I need, but I've said it on someone else's thing, on [Carl] Froch's interview, [Benavidez] actually mentioned me. He [was asked], ‘Who's a dream fight you would like?’ And he said, ‘Ben Whittaker at Wembley,’ so if you've got the champion mentioning you, it shows you're doing something right. Even he said, ‘He's got the skills, he just needs experience,’ and that's exactly what I plan to do, is get that experience.”
No one has found an answer for the Mexican-American’s intense pressure, with even then-undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez being accused of avoiding Benavidez on multiple occasions. Whittaker, a 2020 Olympic silver medalist, however, is quietly confident, and believes Benavidez’s style is nothing new to him.
“Yeah I'd say that's my bread and butter if I'm honest,” said Whittaker of Benavidez. “A lot of people see me; tall, lanky, rushing. I've fought that sort of style since I was seven years old. That is the style that I do like, of course it's relentless, of course it's intense, but it's kind of the style that I like.”
Ben Whittaker believes he is not far away from facing David Benavidez at the top of the light heavyweight division.
First Whittaker, 9-0-1 (6 KOs), will take on Germany’s Benjamin Gavazi for the WBC silver title, with a win likely to elevate him into the top five with the governing body, and one step closer to current champion Benavidez.
The Mexican-American defended his WBC belt last Saturday (November 22) against Anthony Yarde in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Benavidez was too much for Yarde, who struggled to deal with Benavidez’s power and pressure, with the referee calling a halt to the contest after seven one-sided rounds.
“It was a good fight, fair play to Anthony Yarde for taking the fight but, man, it was a bit of a beatdown,” Whittaker told BS. “But like I said, not many people are jumping up to that level and asking for those fights, fair play to Yarde. He's done it three times now against three of the hardest if anything, so you've got to give him his respect, his dues, but I think there was a big gap in levels in there.”
Whittaker is one of the UK’s – and maybe the sport’s – rapidly growing stars, and after Benavidez’s beat down on Yarde, and Joshua Buatsi’s lackluster showing against Zach Parker last month, could be considered a favorite going against his domestic rivals. The 28 year old Whittaker was asked for his thoughts on a future contest against Yarde after his defeat.
“Maybe so, maybe so, there could be a passing of the torch fight, something like that,” he replied. “I'm 28, I think he's like 34, something like that, so who knows how many fights he's got left, but if timelines align, I think that would be a good one to do. But I'm sure people want to see him in with Buatsi and stuff like that. After a tough fight like that, how much has he got left? But it's down to him really where he wants to go, and it's down to me where I want to go.”
Whittaker is rarely found short on confidence when talking of fights against the big names in the division, and that continued when talk turned to Benavidez, whom he is pushing towards with the WBC.
He was asked how far off he is from challenging the 31-0 (25 KOs) Benavidez and replied: “Not far at all really, skill-wise I'm there now, but it's experience that I need, but I've said it on someone else's thing, on [Carl] Froch's interview, [Benavidez] actually mentioned me. He [was asked], ‘Who's a dream fight you would like?’ And he said, ‘Ben Whittaker at Wembley,’ so if you've got the champion mentioning you, it shows you're doing something right. Even he said, ‘He's got the skills, he just needs experience,’ and that's exactly what I plan to do, is get that experience.”
No one has found an answer for the Mexican-American’s intense pressure, with even then-undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez being accused of avoiding Benavidez on multiple occasions. Whittaker, a 2020 Olympic silver medalist, however, is quietly confident, and believes Benavidez’s style is nothing new to him.
“Yeah I'd say that's my bread and butter if I'm honest,” said Whittaker of Benavidez. “A lot of people see me; tall, lanky, rushing. I've fought that sort of style since I was seven years old. That is the style that I do like, of course it's relentless, of course it's intense, but it's kind of the style that I like.”
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 102915
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2025
Ben Whittaker - 174.8lbs
Benjamin Gavazi - 174.5lbsRe: Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi | DAZN - 29 November 2026
If Gavazi had a chance he wouldn't be fighting Whitaker . Last but one opponent had as much red as I've seen on a boxer's recordbig lennox wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025, 16:23I'm not sold either. Happy to be proved wrong, but not currently buying what they are selling.