2020 Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker says there aren’t many fighters at 175 who can perform the way he does ahead of his fight this Saturday, November 29.
Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) makes his Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom debut this Saturday against Benjamin Gavazi on DAZN at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England. The WBC Silver light heavyweight vacant title will be on the line.
A showcase, not a test
Whittaker-Gavazi is seen as a gimmick for the 28-year-old Whittaker to shine in front of the fans on DAZN in his debut with Hearn’s company. Eddie considers him a can’t-miss star. However, many fans believe that Ben is not robust enough to stand up to talented 175-pounders such as David Benavidez, David Morrell, Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi.
“Obviously, like I say, you take every fight as it comes. There aren’t many light heavyweights who can do what I can do,” Ben Whittaker told DAZN Boxing about not many fighters at 175 who can showboat like him. “They can’t move the way I move, and I think that in itself is very unique.”
Blitz against the wrong opponents
The criticism Whittaker gets is that he showsboats while fighting the wrong opposition. He does this against poor opponents, making him look cruel and a bully. Ben seems to enjoy humiliating lesser fighters and making himself look bad in the process.
Whittaker was coming off a second round knockout victory over Liam Cameron in their rematch on April 20, 2025. This was seen as Ben’s redemption, as in their first fight he grabbed Cameron, leaned over the ropes and fell out of the ring in the sixth round on October 12, 2024, 2024 was able to continue to fall. Fans suspected he quit because the fight went badly for him. The match was subsequently decided as a sixth-round technical draw.
Whittaker is ranked #9, #12 WBO, #13 WBA and #14 IBF. His opponent, the 30-year-old Gavazi (19-1, 13 KOs) has not fought at the highest level during his seven-year career. It’s hard to gauge how well he’ll fare against the wiry 6’3″ Whittaker.
Whittaker’s “Right Time to Sauce”
“There’s a time and a place for that. Sometimes, just a simple box. The jabs, the feels, the controls that can win you the fights. But sometimes when you want to add that sauce to it, you can step it up. And that’s what I’m happy to do,” says Whittaker.
Ben Whittaker talks fancy style and future 💫
Look #InsideTheRing NOW on DAZN. @InsideRingShow | @ringtydskrif | #WhitakerGavazi pic.twitter.com/9SpZs3AwFP
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 26, 2025
Last updated on 26/11/2025
