Promoter Eddie Hearn believes his recent signee Ben Whittaker is a “generational talent” who might be able to fight the elite light heavyweights inside five fights. That’s quite a lot of pressure Ben is under with Hearn labeling him as a “generational” type fighter.
Whittaker’s headliner fight on Saturday against light heavyweight Benjamin Gavazi will prove whether Hearn is correct in regards to the 2020 Olympic silver medalist. There are already many fans who consider that he made a mistake in inking him to a long-term contract with Matchroom.
“This can be a guy that has got all of it. We’ve seen his social media figures. But I like him because I feel he’s a world-class fighter,” said Eddie Hearn to Rachel Rose Boxing’s YouTube channel, talking about Ben Whittaker ahead of his fight this Saturday against Benjamin Gavazi.
The 28-year-old Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) faces Gavazi (19-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round fight on the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England.
Whittaker looked good in his last fight, knocking out Liam Cameron within the second round of their rematch on April 20, 2025. Nonetheless, of their first fight, Whittaker had problems with the pressure that Cameron placed on him, and bizarrely fell out of the ring within the sixth round. He was injured in the autumn. Fans saw it as a signal that Ben had mentally quit.
“I consider he is usually a world champion. That is the primary a part of his journey with us. Mainly since it’s the British public, they don’t like flashness,” said Hearn in regards to the criticism Whittaker gets from fans for his showboating.
Whittaker’s age makes it essential that Hearn not take the slow approach with him, as he’s already approaching 30. He can’t be brought along slowly like other fighters who’re starting out.
“He was so good with it. It wasn’t like he was doing it and getting hit. I’m taking a look at it like, ‘Take a look at this flash b****.’ Then however, I’m considering, ‘We must always have had him.’ After which I’m seeing his social media following going up, and up and up,” said Hearn in regards to the surge in Whittaker’s popularity.
“Five years before he turned pro, I knew how good he was. Everyone was talking about him in Team GB. He went to the Olympics. He won a Silver,” said Hearn.
Last Updated on 11/27/2025