WATCH: Ben Whittaker spoofs famous Jerry Maguire scene for major career announcement
Darlaston boxing hero Ben Whittaker delivered his best Cuba Gooding Junior impression to help announce a major career move.
The Tokyo 2020 silver medallist has switched promoters by signing a long-term contract with Matchroom.
Whittaker, unbeaten in 10 bouts since turning professional in 2022, has earned fans around the world for his flamboyant personality in the ring.
And the announcement of his new deal was predictably special, with the 28-year-old and Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn parodying an iconic scene from the 1996 film Jerry Maguire, in which Gooding Jr played an American Football star represented by Tom Cruise.
In a video posted by Matchroom on social media captioned "This is how the final negotiations went down", Whittaker takes up the role of Gooding Jr, with Hearn playing the part of Cruise.
“Eddie, the thing is: I don’t think no one’s looking out for Ben,” begins Whittaker, starting a phone conversation which ends with the pair shouting “show me the money” to each other.
Whittaker has joined Matchroom after his previous promoter, Boxxer, lost its contract with Sky Sports.
Matchroom have branded his signing a “statement” with Hearn describing him as a “generational talent”.
Frank Smith, Matchroom CEO and a key figure in the recent negotiations said: “I always knew one day we would get Ben Whittaker.
“He is the biggest commercial star and has the potential to go to the top of the sport. He has everything you need and delivers inside and outside the ring.
“Eddie and Ben Whittaker together - you saw it with that promo video - they are going to be spectacular together. I believe he will be with us for the rest of his career.”
