British Olympic silver medalist sets an exclamation mark in Birmingham – first-round knockout confirms hype surrounding Whittaker.
Ben Whittaker crowned his Matchroom debut with a real statement win: the British light heavyweight literally wiped out German boxer Benjamin Gavazi in the first round, making a clear statement under his new promoter Eddie Hearn.
Whittaker (10-0-1, 7 knockouts) had only switched from Ben Shalom’s Boxxer stable to Matchroom two months ago. In the National Exhibition Centre Arena in Birmingham – just a few kilometers from his home in West Bromwich – the Olympic silver medalist was in the ring as Matchroom headliner for the first time.
Gavazi (19-2, 13 knockouts) was knocked down twice in the opening round. However, the decisive blow came after a short left hook when Whittaker followed through with a cracking right hand. Gavazi fell flat on his back and referee Mark Bates stopped the fight immediately at 2:15.
“I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Whittaker said in the DAZN interview after the fight. “Thank you to everyone who came, bought tickets and made this night special. When you march in so spectacularly, you have to show it in the ring – and that’s what I did.”
He said of his opponent: “He was a brave boy. 20 fights, only one defeat. He wanted to change his life, but I showed why I’m different. You don’t get Olympic medals by hopping on one leg. I can do anything.” Promoter Eddie Hearn was impressed: “We don’t want to send him to America too often – but America is crying out for Ben Whittaker.”