Ben Whittaker is heading across the Atlantic. While an official opponent remains under wraps, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the 2020 Olympic silver medalist will make his United States debut in early April 2026.
Whittaker currently sits at #3 in the WBC light heavyweight rankings, a position bolstered by his first-round knockout of Benjamin Gavazi in November 2025. Despite the lofty ranking, the 28-year-old’s career trajectory has come under fire from fans who feel his talent is being protected. For an Olympian of his caliber, many expected a quicker climb to a world title shot. Instead, some critics argue that he is being “slowly tracked”.
The search for an American opponent
Whittaker recently said he wants a “decent level caliber” opponent for his American bow. Given his desire to face an American contender, the options at 175 pounds are pretty limited.
Khalil Coe (#14 WBC): This is the most logical choice. Coe is also under the Matchroom banner, which makes the paperwork easy. However, Coe struggled in his recent win over veteran Jesse Hart in January, looking vulnerable at times.
Najee Lopez (#15 WBC): Another American option, although he doesn’t have the same promotional tape as Coe.
Fans have floated the name David Morrell, but that seems unlikely. Morrell is highly skilled and possesses the kind of rugged power that can expose Whittaker’s defensive lapses.
Fans Skeptical
The skepticism surrounding Whittaker stems from his performance in October 2024 against Liam Cameron. In that outing, Whittaker seemed to struggle with Cameron’s physicality before a bizarre incident where both fighters fell over the ropes. Whittaker was unable to continue, and the fight was ruled a technical draw. Although he won the rematch in April 2025, the memory of that first fight remains firmly etched in fans’ minds.
Whittaker’s quick win over the relatively unknown Gavazi did little to silence those who believe he is being manufactured into a star rather than deserving of the title. If he wants to live up to his “generational talent” label, the April opponent needs to offer more than just a name on a resume.
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Last updated on 02/03/2026
