Ben Whittaker kept it blunt when David Morrell’s name came up. “12 years. When they get old, get them in. I can beat them now, but boxing is a business. It’s about taking the right fights at the right time, taking your time, and when you’re there, stay there,” he told the media when asked when he would face Morrell.
That answer came after Morrell had already tried to make the fight happen on short notice. When Callum Smith’s injury canceled his April 18 match with Morrell, the Cuban immediately called Whittaker and offered to step in for the main event in Liverpool. It was a direct call tied to a real opening on the card, not a long-term call for a future fight.
Instead, promoter Eddie Hearn moved Whittaker in a different direction. The Matchroom fighter will go head-to-head against Brian Suarez, a lower-tier opponent who does not carry the same risk or profile as Morrell. The switch keeps Whittaker active and in the spotlight, but it also leaves the Morrell fight untouched at a time when it could have been made.
Whittaker made his position clear in his own words. “I can beat them now, but boxing is a business,” he said, pointing to a slower building rather than jumping straight into the deepest end of the division.
This approach has drawn criticism. A former two-division world champion and one of the more dangerous punchers in light heavyweight, Morrell was willing to take the fight when the opportunity opened up. Whittaker, who is older than Morrell despite being earlier in his professional career, has taken heat from fans who see the decision as a missed test rather than a step forward.
The “business” excuse always feels a little thin for fans when a literal main event starts and a world-class opponent swings his hand. Since Whittaker is actually older than Morrell, the “taking your time” argument loses its punch. This is starting to look less like a savvy executive move and more like a tactical retreat.
Whittaker is basically betting that he can maintain his star power by beating guys like Suarez while he waits for the “perfect” time to face elite threats.
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Last updated on 2026/04/16 at 17:20
