Copyright Yardbarker
Birmingham, U.K. — Ben Whittaker says uncertainty over fight dates pushed him to leave Boxxer for Matchroom, vowing to swap stalled momentum for a busy schedule and a fast track to a world title. The 28-year-old light heavyweight confirmed his Matchroom debut for Nov. 29 in Birmingham against Germany’s Benjamin Gavazi, his first outing since a Round 2 KO of Liam Cameron in April. “When am I going to fight?” With Boxxer’s calendar thinning after its Sky Sports deal ended in June (a new pact with the BBC was announced in August), Whittaker said his prime years were being left on ice. “I’m 28 now. Time waits for nobody, and the way things were going ‘When am I going to fight? Am I going to fight?’ it was just all over the place,” Whittaker said. “Activity’s key… They’ve put down a plan where I can do three, four fights a year, and that’s what I needed.” Global ambitions, title intent Whittaker believes Matchroom’s international footprint aligns with his ambitions. “World champion that’s the plan,” he said. “But I can do global fights; I’ve got more of a global audience.” He added that the learning curve stalls without rounds and reps: “This year I’m getting one fight you’re not going to learn like that.” The road ahead Next fight: Nov. 29, Birmingham Ben Whittaker vs. Benjamin Gavazi Goal: High activity into 2026; move into world-title contention at 175 lbs Why the move: Calendar certainty, global opportunities, faster progression Whittaker’s message is simple: keep him active and the results will follow. With a date set and a clear plan in place, his second act starts now.
