Ben Whittaker to Headline Matchroom’s Birmingham Show on Nov. 29

A “major step-up” for Whittaker

Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs), the 2020 Olympic silver medalist, will pursue the second title of his three-year professional career against Germany’s Benjamin Gavazi (19-1, 13 KOs). Hearn called the fight a “major step-up,” praising Whittaker’s rapid rise and the potential of his first headline slot in front of hometown fans.

“Ben Whittaker is the greatest signing any promoter in the world could have made,” Hearn said. “He levels up from the get-go with a major title shot in front of his home fans in Birmingham on another unmissable card.”

Who is Benjamin Gavazi?

Gavazi, 30, has quietly put together a 19-fight win streak since losing his professional debut in 2018. The Landau native captured domestic honours in 2021 and added the BDB International title and WBC International Silver belt, the latter with a 10th-round stoppage over Branimir Malenica last December.

Though Gavazi will enter as an underdog, Matchroom acknowledged the title as vacant, with Gavazi eager to make his first defense attempt “memorable” after nearly a year away from the ring.

Undercard highlights

The Birmingham bill will feature several notable bouts:

• Cameron Vuong vs. Gavin Gwynne II: A heated lightweight rematch almost exactly one year after Vuong’s contentious points win. The 23-year-old will look to erase doubts in a matchup that could determine his 2026 trajectory.

• Aaron Bowen vs. Tom Cowling: The Coventry middleweight prospect Bowen (7-0, 5 KOs) gets his first title shot, meeting Cowling (14-1, 4 KOs) for the vacant Midlands Area middleweight crown. Cowling narrowly missed out on the same belt last year and will seek redemption.

• Molly McCann’s second fight: The former UFC contender returns after a debut stoppage win in Belfast. Hearn teased “another important step-up” as McCann continues her chase toward a world title run in boxing.

The event continues Matchroom’s packed end-of-year schedule on DAZN, with more fights expected to be added.

“Vuong-Gwynne II has been a year in the making,” Hearn said. “Molly has a huge future and Aaron has a great opportunity to kick on in the middleweight division.”

For Whittaker, Birmingham represents both a homecoming and a launchpad. His Matchroom debut signals the beginning of what Hearn hopes will be a long-term world title campaign and a chance for Whittaker to prove he’s not just one of Britain’s brightest talents, but a future global star.