Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing announced today that they’d signed Tokyo silver medalist Ben Whittaker to a “long-term deal,” scheduling a proper announcement press conference for October 17th.
I usually
copy-paste the fighter’s comments from the press release, but Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KO) is a wee bit more verbose than most, so go just follow that hyperlink if you want to hear his views on things.
Whittaker impressed at the Games, notably beating a red-hot Imam Khataev in the semis before falling to the ultra-decorated Arlen Lopez, and drew early attention in his pro career by showboating his way past fodder. The dazzle didn’t follow him up the ranks, however, culminating in an ugly draw with Liam Cameron that saw Whittaker on the path to defeat before seemingly hurling himself and Cameron over the ropes.
Whittaker did put Cameron away with an iffy stoppage six months later, but he’s still got a lot of work to do if he wants to sell himself as a serious contender.
