Matchroom CEO Frank Smith says Ben Whittaker hasn’t been matched the right way in his three-year pro career after capturing a silver medal in the 2020 Olympics.
Three Years, Still No Real Test
Whittaker’s development has been stunted due to the weak matchmaking. He’s now 28, and still hasn’t competed against any notable opposition. At his age, he should have been fighting high-level opposition years ago. Understandably, Frank Smith is unhappy with how Ben has been matched.
“All About Progression,” Says Smith
“With the platform and us pushing him as well and directing him on the right route. It’s all about progression in his career,” said Matchroom CEO Frank Smith to talkSport Boxing about his new signee, Ben Whittaker.
Ben’s previous promoters at Boxxer chose to take the gradual approach for Whittsaker’s development, opting to match him against lower-level fighters rather than stepping him up immediately against top-tier contenders.
“I don’t think up to now he’s had that in terms of fights. I don’t think he’s necessarily been matched the right way, and I think that’s what we can do now. and take him all the way to the top,” said Smith, criticizing how Boxxer has matched Whittaker during his nine-fight, two-year professional career.
Whittaker’s Missed Prime Years
In hindsight, it was an unusual approach, as Whittaker had Olympic experience and had demonstrated that he was capable of competing against high-level fighters right from the start after turning pro.
Smith and promoter Eddie Hearn believe that the 28-year-old Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) has the potential to be a “commercial star” with the correct progression.
“He’s undoubtedly the biggest commercial star in Britain with the ability to be a superstar. He’s got everything,” said Smith about Whittaker.
Matchroom’s Fast-Track Blueprint
For Ben to become a star, he will need to be moved quickly to make up for lost time and allow him to develop. Given how Whittaker has been matched, he’s still a novice in terms of experience at the pro level and needs to make up for lost time.
Ideally, Matchroom should focus on getting Whittaker as many fights as possible in 2026 to give him the opportunities to progress.