Ben Whittaker aims to prove he is ready for world title shot against top-rated IBF contender

Ben Whittaker faces acid test against IBF #2

Following three straightforward stoppage successes since making the long-anticipated promotional switch from BOXXER to Matchroom, Ben Whittaker (12-0-1, 9 KOs) has the opportunity to secure a light-heavyweight world title shot when he returns to the ring in Birmingham on Saturday night, October 3.

The divisive Whittaker, loved and hated in roughly equal measure for his flashy skills and his tendency to showboat, faces off against the Australian, Conor Wallace (17-1, 12 KOs), in a final eliminator for the IBF version of the title.

The West Brom boxer has experienced a slow burn of a career in the professional ranks so far, but ‘The Surgeon’ has increased his activity levels, this weekend will be his fourth bout in the last 10 months - a significant increase in a 13-fight career that started in July 2022 and, at 29, is approaching now or never time for the Olympic silver medalist to fulfil his undoubted promise.

Whittaker’s profile - he boasts close to four million Instagram followers and his post after his blistering New York knockout of Richard Rivera in June gained nearly 12 million views - is music to the ears of Matchroom supremo, Eddie Hearn. 

Hearn, who lost another marmite-type fighter in Conor Benn late last year to Zuffa and whose marquee fighter, Anthony Joshua is in the twilight of his career, and so the need for a flagship, ‘Box Office’ British star to hang his hat on for the next few years is paramount and in Whittaker, he may well have struck gold.

The temptation with such a talent is to rush the apprenticeship and throw them in with a world champion or world-level fighter before the necessary experience has been gained but for Whittaker, BOXXER kept the handbrake on, arguably too much so.

However, since the controversial first bout with Liam Cameron in which he faced accusations of quitting, there has been a more business-like approach in the ring with less of the showboating and more of the finishing that sees him primed to become a force at light-heavyweight. 

The three opponents since the switch in promotors have been little more than sitting ducks for a fighter aiming for world title success but it has built the anticipation for the next stage-as well as exposing him to the American market with the Rivera win, and now with Hearn and the Matchroom promotional powerhouse behind him and in a division about to usher in a new era, it looks like the perfect storm for the Andy Lee trained fighter.

Light heavyweight has been dominated for the best part of a decade by the supreme, slick skills of Dmitry Bivol and the devastating, destructive power of his fellow Russian, Artur Beterbiev.

The two veterans may yet meet in a rubber match to conclude their trilogy, but with their illustrious careers heading towards the home straight and the menacing Mexican monster, David Benavidez seemingly plying his trade at cruiserweight and beyond these days, there is an opportunity, with victory on Saturday night in the Second City for Whittaker to seriously announce himself on the world stage in 2027. 

Closer to home and a plethora of options await.

Whittaker may fancy the high-profile scalp of fellow Mathcroom Callum Smith regardless of the result of the Liverpudlian’s slated title tilt against current WBA, IBF and WBO ruler, Bivol in December.

Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson face each other in a rematch in November-Buatsi won by decision in 2024 and their second contest is expected to have the WBC title up for grabs as the renewal of the 175lbs division continues apace.

Queenslander Wallace, who has reeled off ten consecutive victories since his sole career reverse in April 2021, should prove to be the toughest test so far for Whittaker, certainly since the alignment with Matchroom last year, but it is a challenge that he must-and should, overcome with flying colours to stay on track for what could be a tantalising 2027 as ‘The Surgeon’ looks to prove he’s cut out for world title honours.