Will Ben Whittaker Flop With Matchroom?

Eddie Hearn announced a massive addition to his stable, signing Olympic Silver Medalist Ben Whittaker to Matchroom Boxing. 

Hearn pulled no punches in his praise, declaring Ben as “the greatest signing in boxing today.” Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) makes the move after leaving his former promoter, Boxxer, signalling his intent to accelerate his career. His final bout under the previous promotion was a convincing second-round TKO victory over Liam Cameron in April, definitively closing the book on their controversial rivalry. That rivalry stemmed from their initial clash in October 2024, an infamous fight that ended in a technical draw after Whittaker fell over the ropes in the sixth round and sustained an injury, as he was unable to continue. 

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“Ben Whittaker and Matchroom Boxing? It sounds very good – it’s got a nice ring to it. Of course, I came very close to signing before. But I’m here now, and that’s the main thing. I think things happen for a reason. I’m at the right stage in my career now to pick the right platform and go for the right fights. So this move just made sense.

“I’ve only had 10 fights so far – and there have been a few ups and downs in those. But I’m lucky that the experience I have so far will take me far in my career. From the amateurs to Olympic medals to professional wins, I’m ready for the next step and I truly feel like this is a fresh start. I can’t wait to embark on this new chapter. I have a great team behind me, with Andy Lee in my corner, and I am really excited to make my debut with Matchroom Boxing,” Whittaker said

Is It The Right Move?

“He is phenomenal. This is the greatest signing to make in boxing today. Ben Whittaker is a generational talent and we are ready to take his career to a whole new level. This long-term deal will propel Ben to global superstardom, solidifying his reputation as a household name and steering him towards future world titles. He will be No.1. He has the world at his feet and I am beyond excited to finally be promoting this great, young man,” Hearn stated

The move to Matchroom Boxing is overwhelmingly positive. It elevates his profile from a promising prospect to a marquee name. This opens the door to high-quality fights on the globally accessible DAZN platform. Instead of headlining domestic shows, Whittaker is now more likely to feature on major international cards—potentially in the US or Saudi Arabia. The long-term deal also provides financial stability needed to strategically build a future world champion.

While the opportunities are immense, the move places extraordinary pressure and scrutiny on Whittaker’s shoulders. This kind of hype means there is no room for error. For example, if Whittaker’s next opponent is not a noticeable step up in class, or if he fails to secure a decisive, highlight-reel knockout, the narrative will instantly shift.