Rising, British, light heavyweight contender Ben Whitaker was barely in the ring Saturday night with a first round KO, but it now sets up Whitaker to come to the United States for a prominent June fight card in New York.
Saturday night in the Matchroom Boxing newly elevated main event in Liverpool, England, unbeaten light heavyweight Ben Whittaker didn't need long to deliver another emphatic victory, stopping an over matched opponent in the very first round. This time against Argentine Braian Suarez with the bout halted at 2:24 of the opening frame.
And, with the quick night over, Whitaker turned his attention to what's next, which likely is him coming to fight in the USA.
First, from the outset, the gap in skill level was evident between Whitaker and his little known opponent. Less than :90 into the fight, Whittaker, 11-0-1, 8 KOs, began to showcase his trademark flair, mixing sharp technique with solid combinations on Suarez now, 21-5.
As the round neared its conclusion, he seized his moment. Whittaker unleashed another quick combination with a perfectly timed overhand right to the left side of Suarez's head that dropped him. It was obvious that he in trouble, as he crashed back to the canvas trying stand up, but ultimately failed to beat referee Steve Gray’s count, sealing a first-round knockout victory for the British standout.
Soon after, Whitaker took to the microphone post-fight on DAZN to mainly talk about what's next. See his comments here:
"Well, that was actually a step up. and you see what I am doing. So for me? They can all call me out. They're calling me out for a reason, cause the more I get in this ring, the more experience I get, the more comfortable I get, it's dangerous for them. Eddie (Hearn) has got o tough task of monitoring me the right way, but that's why I joined Matchroom to make that happen."
For his part, Hearn made clear that he wants Whitaker to fight next on the Matchroom NYC show in late June.
"We know exactly what we are doing. Next, stop, is gonna be where he should be. He's gonna be where all the superstars go and walk in front of the bright lights. New York, he's coming. Jaron Ennis against Xander Zayas, Barclays Center, you're going to see a true star of British boxing, Ben Whitaker, make his American debut on June 27th,"
Originally, the card was scheduled to be headlined by Liverpool hometown favorite Callum Smith, who was set to clash with Cuba’s David Morrell for the WBO Interim Light Heavyweight Title. However, Smith’s withdrawal due to a rib injury reshuffled the card, elevating Whittaker to the main event slot.
Obviously, if Smith hasn't healed and can't train/fight before Whitaker's next proposed bout in June, then, maybe Smith-Whitaker for the Fall in the U.K. is a possibility, too.