The Matchroom promoter says Ben Whittaker is now being positioned for a world title shot but insists several step-up fights must come first
Ben Whittaker’s dominant second-round knockout of Richard Rivera has moved him into the next phase of his career, with promoter Eddie Hearn saying the focus is now on a world title shot. Hearn stressed the unbeaten light heavyweight will continue climbing through the rankings before facing the division’s biggest names.
Whittaker (12-0-1, 9 KOs) scored his fourth consecutive knockout after stopping ‘Popeye’ Rivera in two rounds during his United States debut Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
At the post-fight press conference, Hearn said the plan is no longer simply building Whittaker’s experience.
“We have to start positioning now for a world title,” Hearn said. “We need a big domestic name or a fight that’s going to get him mandatory, a final eliminator.”
Hearn also made it clear that Matchroom has no intention of rushing Whittaker into fights with the division’s biggest names.
“You can’t go from Rivera to Bivol and Benavidez and Beterbiev,” Hearn said. “You’ve got to fight those guys. There’s two or three more in between Rivera and those guys.”
Instead, Hearn said Whittaker will continue moving through the rankings one step at a time.
“The next fight will be another step up. Like tonight was a step up. You keep stepping up, you keep producing the performances, and you keep going through the levels.”
As examples of realistic opponents, Hearn mentioned Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, and Willie Hutchinson, while noting Callum Smith is expected to move in another direction.
Whittaker, meanwhile, said he is content to leave the matchmaking to his team.
“All I do is just train, and whoever they put in front of me, I beat them up,” Whittaker said.
