'I want to be the man no-one wants to fight' - Ben Whittaker targets world domination after knockout win
Ben Whittaker has set sights on becoming the most feared light-heavyweight in the world after his brutal first round knockout of Benjamin Gavazi.
The Darlaston boxing star demolished his German opponent in just 135 seconds at Birmingham’s NEC on Saturday night in a stunning Matchroom debut to win the WBC silver title.
Whittaker is expected to make his USA debut early in the new year before returning to the UK, with a potential domestic dust-up with the winner of next month’s clash between Craig Richards and Dan Azeez mooted.
Just 11 fights into his professional career, Whittaker has already been called out by WBC champion David Benavidez, with coach Andy Lee predicting the Olympic silver medallist will be among the top-five in the world within the next 18 months.
Whittaker said: “You are doing something right if you are on their radar. But I am on my own path, my own journey and when I get there I don’t just want to compete, I want to beat them.
“I don’t want to be part of the party. I want to be the man they don’t want to fight.
“This (WBC) belt is lovely, silver. But I want it gold. All in due time.”
He continued: “I truly believe no-one can move like me, has speed like me, or has the IQ like me.
“They can all bang, they can all grit it out but I have something different. This was just my 11th fight and it is all about process.”
Whittaker, whose professional career appeared on the brink following a controversial draw with Liam Cameron in October last year, has won his last two fights inside two rounds since switching trainers to Lee.
Saturday saw the most devastating example of his power yet, with the fight taking less time than a ring walk which saw Whittaker accompanied by rapper Dizzee Rascal.
A flurry of punches saw Gavazi, who had entered the bout on a run of 19 straight wins, floored for the first time in his career.
Though he beat referee Mark Bates’ count, Whittaker finished the job in ruthless fashion just 30 seconds later, stunning his opponent with a left before sending him down again with a thumping right-hand.
Gavazi, 30, required oxygen before being helped back to his stool. Whittaker, who wore silver gloves and boots to match his shorts, said: “When you walk out pretty like that, you have to back it up and that’s what I did.
“He (Gavazi) came to change his life but like I said, I showed something special, and I showed why I'm different.
"You don't get Olympic medals by hopping around on one foot. I can do it all."
Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, who described Whittaker as the “superstar the Midlands has been dying for” is planning for the 28-year-old to fight at least three times in 2026, with the possibility of a fourth.
Whittaker said: “For now I am going to focus on Christmas, get some pigs in blankets down me, get some mashed potato down me. Then I’ll be back in the gym.
“I’m just focusing on my craft. These other guys want to fight me now because when I do perfect that craft, it will be game over.”
