Ben Whittaker reveals New Year's resolutions

Ben Whittaker reveals ambitions for the New Year and beyond

British light-heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 KOs) shared all of his hopes and plans for the New Year, including title ambitions and the locations he most wants to perform in around the world.

After just 11 pro bouts, the Olympic silver medallist is already WBC #3, linked to fights against some of the division’s biggest names. His viral clips have gained him worldwide fame and 3.7 million Instagram followers.

Now 28, Whittaker turned pro after claiming the 175lbs silver medal in the 2020 Olympics, and this year has moved promotional platforms from BOXXER to Matchroom, whom he boxed for the first time for last month, wiping out Benjamin Gavazi in a single round.

“It was good, it was needed,” Whittaker told BoxingScene of his November knockout.

“I've only had to include two fights this year, it’s been an inactive year, so hopefully next year, start stepping up a little bit, then we'll see from there.”

Whilst entertaining millions of fight fans around the world at the bp PULSE Live Arena in Birmingham, Whittaker's house was tragically being broken into, the unscrupulous thieves making away with his IBF belt.

Whittaker immediately appeared on social media offering a reward for those who could help him find the impertinent perpetrators.

“We got a couple of names,” he divulged. “But at the end of the day, it shows you're doing something right when people want to do things like that.

“We obviously won, I had to do all the media, drug testing, then my brother's girlfriend drove past and said all the lights are on and the police are there, so then I had to go back.”

Critics claimed Whittaker's last rival was overmatched after he only lasted 135 seconds, but the German visitor was a WBC International Silver champion with 18 straight wins and just a single loss sustained on his debut in 2018.

“Yeah, well, it's only overmatched, as people say, because I'm so good,” Whittaker responded. “At the end of the day, he was 19-1. Some people's 11th fight, they fought a lot worse. I just went out there, put on a very dominant performance, and I made the levels look different. So for me, I did what I was supposed to do, and we'll see what happens next year.”

Matchroom was quick to acquire "The Surgeon's" signature after his contract with BOXXER expired earlier this year.

The Brummie shared his reasons for teaming up with British promoter Eddie Hearn, “I think he's a person, he's professional, he knows the game, he knows when to step you up, when to move you right. Yeah, it's a very good platform, but for me, I think anywhere I go, I can do some numbers. But it's not about the numbers now for me, it's about progressing in my career, being active and start winning belts.”

West Brom's Ben has already claimed IBF International and WBC Silver titles at light-heavyweight. The latter silverware was acquired with his new trainer Andy Lee.

“I always like to go to [trainer] Andy [Lee in Ireland] in some sort of shape, so he's not killing me so much. I'm going to get into some sort of shape, then come January, I'll be over in Ireland.

With Irishman Lee in his corner, Ben firstly stopped Liam Cameron in their April rematch, then came the Gavazi wipeout in November, the dynamic duo needing just three rounds to conquer both opponents.

The West Midlander was quick to agree on Lee's influence and improvements on his game, “Yeah, 100 per cent. I think my last two fights have showed that I still can mess around in there, I still can be flamboyant and showboat. But if, like people said, the levels are different, why mess around and not get them out of there? Really, with Benjamin Gavazi, the old me would have probably made it four or five rounds, play around, get some clips, but I thought, ‘Let's just get him out of there.’ So my mentality’s changing a little bit, and it shows I can punch as well.”

On the subject of showing off what he can do, Ben turned his focus on the future, listing all the places he wants to showcase his skills inn the New Year, “Just off the top of my head now, I'd like to fight in America, of course, Madison Square Garden, or MGM’s my favourite. But anywhere in America would be good, and start building it from there.

“I'd love to fight in Tokyo, maybe the Tokyo Dome, or do some fights where the Olympic final was. I'd like to go back there. I'd like to fight in Brazil, I've got a big following there. I'd like to just go all over the globe for me, it'd be good. Different styles, different coaches, different people, I'd like to tick all them boxes.

“And for me, all I can do is just keep working hard and beat who's in front of me. But I'd say I'm in a good position, I'm 28. For the weight division, I'm pretty young compared to the other guys, they're like 34, 35. So, if it's a crossroads fight, if it's a 5v5 or something like that, I'll be there, really. The end goal is to become a world champion. That's the main thing I set out to do. Anything other than that's a bonus.”