Ben Whittaker vs Benjamin Gavazi

Launch Press Conference!

(October 17th) At today’s Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi launch press conference held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, the unbeaten contender officially unveiled his signature as a Matchroom Boxing fighter and for his next fight on November 29 in Birmingham. Eddie Hearn hosts the milestone moment with "The Surgeon" and his opponent, the 19-1 Benjamin Gavazi.

Ben Whittaker's arrival at Matchroom Boxing has been marked by immediate ambition and decisive action. At the promotional launch press conference, the light heavyweight made his intentions clear: he is ready to compete at the highest level, beginning with a significant step up in opposition as he pursues his path to world championship glory.

The 26-year-old will make his promotional debut against Benjamin Gavazi on November 29 at the NEC in Birmingham, with the vacant WBC Silver light-heavyweight title on the line. For Whittaker, this represents far more than a routine defense—it is a calculated statement of intent delivered on home soil.

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was emphatic about the significance of Whittaker's signature following his departure from Boxxer. According to Hearn, Whittaker represents a rare commodity in modern boxing: a homegrown talent with elite-level potential who is ready to assume major responsibility immediately.

"Ben Whittaker is the greatest signing any promoter could wish for, and he steps up from the outset in front of his home supporters in Birmingham," Hearn stated during the press conference. The promoter's confidence extended further when discussing Whittaker's broader marketability and capabilities. "He is a phenomenal signing for us. My kids knew all about him. He's better than people realize, he just needs to believe in himself and be active."

Hearn has positioned this November contest as the beginning of a rapid ascent. The promotion is already eyeing a potential world title shot against WBC champion David Benavidez, suggesting that a successful performance against Gavazi could accelerate Whittaker's trajectory significantly. "He levels up right away with a major title fight in front of his home fans in Birmingham on what's another unmissable card," Hearn emphasized.

For Whittaker himself, the magnitude of this opportunity requires a particular mental approach. The undefeated prospect, currently ranked ninth by the WBC, has experienced adversity in his career, notably rebounding from previous injury issues. His response to the pressure inherent in this step up was characteristically resolute.

"Pressure for me doesn't bust pipes, it makes diamonds," Whittaker declared at the press conference, encapsulating his determination to transform this challenge into a defining moment.

Benjamin Gavazi arrives in Birmingham with credentials that underscore the difficulty of Whittaker's assignment. The German-based competitor has constructed an impressive unbeaten streak, remaining undefeated in 19 consecutive fights since losing his debut in 2018. Gavazi's resume includes domestic titles won in Germany and a recent WBC International Silver championship, representing a considerable step up in class for the opponent.

While Gavazi remains largely unfamiliar to British audiences, his track record suggests he is precisely the caliber of opposition required to validate Whittaker's world-title readiness. A victory over an undefeated contender of Gavazi's stature would carry significant weight in championship negotiations.

Whittaker's signing with Matchroom and this immediate title opportunity reflect a broader strategic approach within professional boxing: fast-tracking elite talent by providing meaningful challenges rather than gradual progression. At 26 years old and undefeated, Whittaker has been deemed ready for this responsibility.

The card itself adds further appeal, with former UFC fighter Molly McCann also featuring on the November 29 event at the NEC. However, the evening will undoubtedly be defined by Whittaker's performance and whether he can validate both Hearn's confidence and his own belief in his championship credentials.

For Whittaker, November 29 represents an inflection point. Success against Gavazi could position him as a legitimate threat in a light heavyweight division that includes established champions and contenders. Failure would stall momentum and raise questions about readiness at this level. The stakes, by design, are precisely calibrated to test whether he possesses the quality to become a genuine world title contender.

About DAZN Group

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About Matchroom Boxing

After the success of snooker in the 1980s, Matchroom Sport moved into boxing with two small hall shows followed by Frank Bruno v Joe Bugner at Tottenham Hotspur’s ground – the biggest boxing event of 1987. That launched the company into the boxing big-time, a position it has maintained ever since.

Through the 1990s Matchroom Sport’s boxing roster featured many of the biggest names in the sport including Lennox Lewis, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Steve Collins and Naseem Hamed, all in world title fights and it continues to work with some of the biggest names in UK boxing including Audley Harrison, the 2000 Olympic Super-Heavyweight gold medalist.

Over the years, Matchroom Sport has built up long-standing relationships with broadcasters around the world and with the advent of the Prizefighter phenomenon, the company’s boxing division has never been in a stronger position.

From fantastic six round scraps between the sport’s journeymen, up to multi-million-dollar World Championship contests featuring the above fighters, the Pro Box series has it all. Each show is packed with the very best in boxing action in a series that encompasses almost 25 years of Matchroom Sport’s commitment to bringing the highest quality to the global television market.